Apparel Brand United By Blue is Leading the Ocean Cleanup Movement and Volunteers are Welcome

Since its inception in 2010, United By Blue has not only used organic and recycled materials to create practical, yet stylish outdoor gear, but the apparel company has also been a driving force in sustaining a meaningful environmental impact.  For every item purchased, the retailer removes one pound of trash from the ocean and encourages local communities to get involved in the effort with their hosted cleanups that take place regularly.

Photo by: United by Blue

United By Blue has made a significant tangible change with over 1 million pounds of trash removed to date and has quickly become a leader in the philanthropy business industry.  At the annual International Travel Goods Show in Las Vegas where top travel brands reveal their latest products, United By Blue was honored with the Community Service Award for the social and environmental aspects of their company culture.

Derby Tier Backpack Photo by: United by Blue

While United By Blue has already made a remarkable positive impact, the company is looking forward to increasing their achievements.

At the International Travel Goods Show, Jake Nalls, Wholesale Associate, told The Voluntourist, "We've activated over 10,000 volunteers and have done cleanups in 28 states and have removed over 1 million pounds of trash nationwide. The initiative this year is a cleanup roadtrip. We're going to hit the additional states we haven't been to yet, so by the end of 2018 we'll have done cleanups in all 50 states."

Albright Rain Shell Photo by: United by Blue

He added, "The goal for 2018 is also 500,000 pounds of trash removed and then every year following that we should be doing over 1 million pounds of trash a year based on where the company is going in sales."

Bison Chopper Mitts Photo by: United by Blue

So how can people volunteer? You can go to their website for the latest details on the locations, dates and how to sign up.

But it's not just volunteers doing the work. Unite By Blue is heavily involved. Jake explains, "We actually have a cleanup team that is on staff and works in the same office as the rest of us. They go out and find areas that could use a cleanup and organize the logistics. We have three of our own retail locations, two in Philly and one in New York and we do a ton of cleanups in both of those areas. Our entire team from the product designers to our CEO and co-founders are out participating in those cleanups."

Photo by: United by Blue

Each cleanup event is about two hours long and has an average of 200 volunteers.

For more information on United By Blue click here.

For more information on the International Travel Goods Show click here.