United by Blue

Idea

Hosting cleanups

Introduction

For every product it sells, United by Blue, an outdoor apparel company, pledges to remove a pound of trash from the oceans and waterways. At the time of this writing, the company had removed 1,091,976 pounds of trash.

Innovation

To promote the spirit of community involvement among its employees, the company offers 20 hours paid time off for community service. Besides getting its own employees’ hands dirty, the company invites the public to join their clean-ups. To further its environmental agenda, United by Blue holds its suppliers to specific environmental standards, preferring recycled and natural, organic materials. And 75 percent of its office supplies are made from recycled materials.

Impact

United by Blue wanted to prove that “a successful outdoor brand can do serious conservation work.” It seems to have succeeded.