Celebrating the people who make our biggest wins possible
Behind every pound of debris removed, every student inspired, every shoreline restored, there’s a story of someone who chose to care. Teachers bring lessons to life. Young leaders carry our mission forward. Businesses step up to make a difference. Scientists keep asking, ‘What more can we do?’ These are our Wavemakers.
💙 Donors Unlock Possibilities
When Kathy Lynch of Green Matters donated $11,000 to support the 2026 East Coast Cleanup Tour, she helped us dream bigger. Her generosity opened doors to new regions and gave more interns a chance to learn and lead.
Her support also sparked our most ambitious fundraiser yet: the annual Save the Waves Campaign. Thanks to this momentum, our Street-to-Sea work is reaching more communities than ever. And it’s simple: every $1 removes 5 pounds of plastic and debris.
🏢 Businesses Turning Values Into Action
Beer Die Guys – Play With Purpose
Four college friends, one beachside game, and a big idea. The Beer Die Guys turned their love for fun and community into a promise to keep our beaches clean. Their motto says it all:
“Better Beer Die. Cleaner Oceans.”
By donating from every sale, they helped recover:
- 12,320 pounds of plastic & debris in 2025
- 15,030 pounds total since 2021.
They prove that fun and caring for our ocean go hand in hand.
Herbal Skin Solutions – Handsome is What Handsome Does
Kaelin Jutras founded Herbal Skin Solutions to make skincare that’s as honest as it is earth-friendly. Every product is sulfate-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free.
But their commitment goes even further. Since partnering with us in 2021, they’ve helped recover:
- 12,500 pounds of debris in 2025
- 36,500 pounds total.
As Kaelin puts it, “Everything starts with a need.” Right now, the need for clean water is most urgent.
🧪 Scientists Expanding What’s Possible
From 2013 to 2017, Oregon State students and Ocean Blue Project researched whether nature could provide tools to clean water. Students and volunteers filled gunny bags with coffee grounds and straw, seeded them with mushroom spores, and placed them around storm drains. Thus, they tested whether mycelium, a part of fungi, could filter polluted runoff.
The results made national headlines. Mycelium reduced waterborne pollutants. It could be used in low-tech, scalable water-purification solutions. In collaboration with NASA scientist Dr. Kenneth Cullings, the team analyzed fungi living in microplastic-laden beach sand, identifying species that may degrade plastics. This ongoing research reminds us that anyone can help spark new solutions.
📣 Become a Wavemaker
Our mission: remove 5 million pounds of plastic and debris from U.S. waterways. Every Wavemaker—volunteer, donor, business leader, or scientist—moves us closer to that goal.
- Every $1 removes 5 pounds of debris.
- Every fundraiser fuels our movement.
- Every voice strengthens our cause.
Give to the Wavemaker Fund. Join a cleanup. Start a team. Or subscribe to our newsletter to stay inspired. Together, we’re making waves—one act of love at a time.
