CleanUp 5 million Pounds of Post-Disaster Debris

OBP Plastic Disaster Relief Program Report

4th Quarter 2024 and Annual Highlights

Dear Ocean Blue Project Supporters,  

The Ocean Blue Project is delighted to share the remarkable accomplishments of our Plastic Disaster Relief Program in 2024 and our ambitious plans for 2025. As stewards of the ocean, we remain committed to combating plastic pollution and safeguarding the health of our coastlines and waterways for future generations.

Progress in the Chesapeake Bay Area    

The Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, is vital to ocean health, serving as both a marine habitat and a natural filtration system for water entering the Atlantic Ocean. Since engaging in the region, our team has made tremendous strides tackling plastic debris and pollutants that threaten this critical watershed.  

Throughout 2024, the Plastic Disaster Relief Program yielded significant results, including the removal of 792,700 pounds of debris from the Chesapeake Bay area. This region accounted for an important share of the total pounds removed in 2024, contributing substantially to our long-term goals of plastic and debris mitigation.

While our Create a Cleanup program continues to mobilize volunteers across the U.S., much of the Chesapeake Bay area's success came through the relentless efforts of our Ocean Blue team. These efforts require specialized resources, including equipment and dedicated personnel to manage on-ground and in-water cleanup operations.

Milestone Achievement  

In 2023, Ocean Blue Project surpassed our goal of removing 1 million pounds of plastic and debris. Inspired by this success, our 2026 target is set at 5 million pounds of debris removal. We are proud to announce that as of December 2024, we have removed a remarkable 2,150,144 pounds of plastic and debris, achieving over 43% of this ambitious goal. This progress would not have been possible without the unwavering support of volunteers, partners, and our skilled teams.

Plans for 2025: East Coast Headquarters  

As we build upon our successes, 2025 marks a pivotal year for the Ocean Blue Project. We are thrilled to announce plans to establish an East Coast Regional Headquarters and Education Center in Lottsburg, Virginia.  

This new facility will:  

- Serve Lower Potomac River Watershed and Chesapeake Bay communities by acting as a vital operational hub for cleanup activities.  

- Serve as a pivot for accessing post-hurricane disaster zones on the East Coast. 

- Provide a staging ground for sorting debris for upcycling projects, which promote sustainability through creative reuse.  

- Engage youth through our OBP Blue Schools initiative, recognized as a Green Citizen Project by UNESCO.  

This development represents a significant step forward in addressing plastic pollution in the dynamic Chesapeake Bay region while strengthening community ties.

Challenges and Opportunities  

To continue expanding our reach in 2025 and beyond, key challenges must be addressed, including:  

- Securing funding for a vessel to enhance the efficiency of water-based cleanups.  

- Developing the Lottsburg facility, ensuring it meets the needs of the program.  

- Obtaining multi-year grants to create stable job opportunities for program coordinators and expand community engagement.

Call to Action  

The efforts of Ocean Blue Project depend on the support of dedicated individuals and partners. As we move into 2025, we invite you to join us in making a difference. Whether through volunteering, donating, or advocating, your support will be instrumental in creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world ocean.  

Together, we can reach new milestones and ensure a brighter future for our waterways. Thank you for being an essential part of the Ocean Blue Project mission.  

With deep gratitude and appreciation,  

The Ocean Blue Project Team

Hello friend, 

Ocean Blue Project is thrilled to share with everyone our progress and ambitious goals as we continue our mission to protect our one world ocean and coastlines. Our Plastic Disaster Relief Program has made significant strides in the fight against plastic pollution, especially in areas affected by natural disasters and ongoing environmental challenges.

As we establish our presence in the Chesapeake Bay area, we are acutely aware of the critical role this watershed plays in the health of our oceans. The Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, supports an incredible diversity of marine life and serves as a natural filter for water flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. Our team has been actively engaged in assessing and addressing the pressing issues of pollution and illegal dumping along the bay's extensive shoreline.

One of the most alarming findings from our assessments is the prevalence of plastic debris and other pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay area. Our dedicated staff has been working tirelessly to combat this issue, conducting cleanups along tributaries and shorelines. In 2024 alone, we have removed an impressive 308,200 pounds of debris from this region, significantly contributing to our overall cleanup efforts.

While our "Create a Cleanup" program continues to be a vital component of our education and leadership development efforts, engaging volunteers across the US, the majority of the debris removal in the Chesapeake Bay area is carried out by our dedicated Ocean Blue team members. This staff-led initiative requires substantial funding to cover the costs of equipment, storage and sorting facilities, and to support the team who works tirelessly on the ground and in the water to make this program a success.

In 2023, Ocean Blue Project achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing our goal of removing 1 million pounds of plastic and debris from U.S. beaches and waterways. Building on this success, we set an even more ambitious target of removing 5 million pounds of plastic and debris by 2026. 

We are proud to report that as of September 26, 2024, we have removed a total of 1,648,124 pounds, with 479,808 pounds removed in 2024 alone. This puts us at 32.96% of our 5 million pound goal, demonstrating significant progress towards our objective.

To further our mission, Ocean Blue Project is working on establishing a new facility in Lottsburg, Virginia. This location will serve as a staging facility for sorting debris for upcycling projects and an education center to engage youth through our OBP Blue Schools program, which has been recognized as a Green Citizen Project by UNESCO. This development will not only enhance our operational capabilities but also significantly lower our costs by reducing rent expenses.

As we move forward, we face several challenges in reaching our 5 million pound goal:

1. Funding for a vessel to increase our capacity and impact in water-based cleanups.
2. Development of our recently acquired property in Lottsburg, Virginia.
3. Obtaining multi-year grants to secure job positions for program coordinators, necessary for expanding our reach and impact.

As we continue our efforts in 2024, we invite you to join us in our mission to protect and preserve our oceans. Your support is vital to the success of our programs, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to ocean stewardship. Together, we can work towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for our One World Ocean.

Thank you for being an integral part of the Ocean Blue Project family. With your continued support, we are confident in our ability to reach our goals and make a lasting impact on the health of our oceans and waterways.

Warm regards, 

Karisa Arterbury

Director of Operations + Development

www.oceanblueproject.org