By: Samantha Hudak
Every day, approximately 38,356,164 pounds of trash are dumped into the oceans worldwide. Therefore, more than 13 billion pounds of litter are dumped in the ocean per year. However, a Philly based company, United By Blue, aims to change this daunting statistic by removing one pound of trash in oceans and waterways for every one product purchased.
This sustainable outdoor apparel company sells clothing for both men and women, messenger bags, jewelry, and accessories. United By Blue has been a Certified B-Corp since 2011. Along with removing one pound of trash for every item purchased, they also vowed to remove single-use plastic from their supply chain by summer 2020. They use suppliers that have ethical environmental standards, build LEED-certified stores, offer their employees paid time off for community service, and use office supplies made from recycled materials.
Not only is United By Blue implementing sustainable practices and cleanups in the United States, but worldwide as well. In 2020, United By Blue launched their International Cleanup Program in which waterways, riverbanks, and coastlines in the Philippines were cleaned up. The Philippines was recently reported as the third-largest polluter in the world, however, the program was able to remove 30,031 pounds of trash in only three short months. Now, they are planning to remove at least 250,000 pounds in 2021 alone.
This eco-friendly apparel brand also uses sustainable materials and fabrics to make their products. As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, United By Blue has turned to making face masks from deadstock hemp blend fabric. To go a step further, for every three-pack of face masks sold, they donate one mask to Chosen 300, “an organization that distributes them with hot meals to Philadelphians experiencing homelessness. To date, [they have] donated 30,700 masks with more to come in the spring”. Some fabrics and materials they use include bison fiber made from the American bison’s shaggy coat, hemp, organic cotton, yak fiber, plastic water bottles, recycled polyester, wool, Corozo, and Tencel. If this isn’t enticing enough to shop sustainably from Philly’s own, they also have a coffeehouse inside their flagship store!
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