To celebrate Plastic Free July, we’re showcasing a company at the forefront of the battle against plastic pollution.

At the intersection of business and environmental stewardship stands 4ocean, a company that has successfully built a thriving e-commerce business by tying their mission of ocean plastic removal to the products they sell.

By engaging with consumers over a shared commitment to cleaner oceans, 4ocean has created a sustainable business model with a tangible impact on our planet.

Buoyed by thousands of positive reviews and an extremely loyal customer base, they show no signs of slowing down.

And now, through Okendo’s new partnership with Ecodrive, you can follow in their footsteps.

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The 4ocean Story: Turning Passion into Purpose

Founded by two passionate surfers, 4ocean's journey began with a stark realization around the extent of plastic pollution in our oceans.

Witnessing firsthand the detrimental effects of plastic waste on marine life, they were inspired to take action. What started as a small-scale beach cleanup initiative quickly evolved into a global movement.

"Seeing the large amounts of plastic in the ocean was a wake-up call for us. We wanted to find a way to do something about it," says co-founder Alex Schulze. "We decided to tie the success of our business directly to the positive impact we wanted to have on the environment and have strived to create a direct link between our revenue and our mission."

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The Impact: Plastic Removal Operations

4ocean's business model is simple yet profoundly effective. By purchasing a 4ocean bracelet, branded gear or selection of eco-friendly products, customers contribute to the funding of ocean cleanup operations. For every product 4ocean sells, they remove 5 pounds of plastic from the ocean.

These operations are carried out by full-time captains and crews who work tirelessly to remove plastic from the world's oceans and coastlines.

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To date, 4ocean has removed millions of pounds of plastic in partnership with their customers, significantly reducing the amount of waste that threatens marine ecosystems, proving that consumers care about the impact of their shopping habits.

"We're incredibly proud of the impact we've been able to make," Schulze told us. "Our operations span multiple countries, and we employ hundreds of captains and crew dedicated to the cause. It's a community effort, and our customers are a crucial part of that community."

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Harnessing the Power of Customer Reviews with Okendo

Customer feedback plays a vital role in 4ocean's success.

By leveraging the Okendo customer marketing platform, 4ocean collects and showcases authentic reviews that highlight the impact their products have on ocean plastic removal efforts.

"Okendo has been instrumental in helping us build trust with our customers," says Schulze. "The reviews we receive are overwhelmingly positive, with many customers expressing their appreciation for our mission and the quality of our products. This feedback not only boosts our credibility but also encourages more people to join us on our mission."

To date, 4ocean customers have left over 123,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.8 stars out of 5. That’s an incredible display of social proof which has in turn created happier, more loyal customers, stronger community connections, increased customer retention, and ultimately resulted in millions of pounds of plastic being removed from waterways worldwide.

When positive results for businesses directly contribute to cleaner, healthier oceans, we all benefit.

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A Seamless Partnership: Okendo and Ecodrive

In a continued effort to enhance our own positive impact on the planet, we’ve partnered with Ecodrive to make it straightforward for companies using Okendo software to contribute to ocean plastic removal via 4ocean.

Now, Okendo powered companies can pull pounds of plastic directly from the ocean for every review left about their products or services using 4ocean’s team of captains and crews. Just think, if a customer receives an email following their purchase asking them to “Leave a Review & We’ll Remove Plastic from the Ocean”, that’s only going to incentivize them to do so.

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Harnessing the power of impact-driven reviews not only boosts customer engagement but can significantly increase conversion rates and the results speak for themselves. Ecodrive case studies show a 39% increase in review opt-ins with a callout of impact versus without.

Okendo customer, Gooseberry, told us that “giving customers the ability to shop more sustainably when ordering not only helps us to do our part for the planet but has led to increased revenue and a better brand experience for our customers.”

Illustrating real environmental impact as part of your review collection strategy with Okendo can transform customer interactions into meaningful contributions.

It’s great for your business. Even better for our planet.

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Join the Movement this Plastic Free July

4ocean's success story is a testament to the power that eco-conscious businesses can have on the world around them. By integrating ocean plastic removal into their e-commerce model and utilizing tools like Okendo to heighten customer engagement, they’ve built a company that resonates with sustainably minded consumers worldwide.

We are proud to say that now any Okendo customer can do the same. In partnership with Ecodrive and 4ocean, Okendo offers a path to a cleaner, healthier planet, as well as happier, more engaged customers.

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Learn more about what you can do with Ecodrive and 4ocean today or get started pulling pounds for reviews here.

Discover how Okendo can help your company drive more conversions with reviews at okendo.io.

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