How to Gauge the Impact of an Ocean Cleanup Organization

When evaluating an ocean cleanup organization, it’s not enough to look at the number of pounds collected. True impact goes deeper — it’s about efficiency, transparency, sustainability, and community empowerment. Here are a few key factors to consider when determining how much of a difference an organization is really making.

1. Cost per Pound

A common metric used in cleanups is cost per pound collected. It’s an important indicator of efficiency — the lower the cost, the more plastic an organization can remove with the same funding.

However, this metric alone can be misleading. The cheapest cleanup might not always be the most impactful. For instance, some projects may collect large quantities of low-impact waste (like wet organic matter or mud-coated debris), while others focus on removing harmful plastics from high-risk areas. Always interpret cost per pound in the context of the other factors below.

2. What Would Have Happened If Not Collected (Additionality)

This concept, called additionality, asks: Would this plastic still have been collected or safely disposed of if the organization hadn’t intervened?

If the waste would have otherwise been properly managed or collected by someone else, the impact is smaller. But if it would have ended up in a river, the ocean, or burned in an open fire, the impact is much greater.

Plastic that ends up in the ocean or is openly burned has severe environmental and health consequences. Open burning releases toxic chemicals into the air, harming both people and ecosystems. Understanding where the waste would have gone helps measure an organization’s true added value.

3. Where the Waste Is Disposed Of

Collecting plastic is only half the job — what happens next is just as important. If an organization collects ocean plastic only to dump it back into an uncontained landfill, the effort becomes almost meaningless.

Responsible organizations should follow the waste hierarchy: prioritize reduction, reuse, and recycling, and ensure any remaining waste is safely managed. Proper disposal is essential to prevent re-pollution.

4. Types of Materials Collected

Not all waste is equal. A ton of organic debris or waterlogged plastic might look impressive in photos but may have limited environmental benefit. Meanwhile, removing lightweight but persistent plastics like bottles and film has much higher long-term value.

Transparency matters — cleanup organizations should disclose the breakdown of materials they collect and focus on high-impact plastics that are most likely to harm the environment.

5. Jobs Created and Community Impact

Most ocean-bound plastic originates in areas with high poverty. Cleanup initiatives can have enormous social impact by creating jobs and empowering communities.

Human-centered collection models — especially those that employ local workers or pay by the pound — not only help reduce waste but also provide income and dignity to those doing the work. Educational programs, school partnerships, and community incentives can multiply the benefits far beyond the cleanup itself.

6. Long-Term Sustainability

Ultimately, the goal isn’t just to collect millions of pounds of plastic — it’s to make lasting change. If pollution returns as soon as a cleanup ends, the long-term impact is limited.

Ask: If the organization stopped operating tomorrow, what would remain? Sustainable programs focus on education, infrastructure, and systemic change that keeps communities cleaner even without constant intervention.

Tidey Ocean’s Impact Across These Areas

Cost per Pound

At Tidey Ocean, our average cost per pound is just $1 — meaning every $1 donation funds the collection and recycling of at least one pound of plastic. Many organizations only fund collection, but because ethical disposal is so critical where we work, we ensure every pound collected is responsibly recycled.

What Would Have Happened Otherwise

Tidey operates between two rivers that together dump millions of pounds of waste into the ocean each year. Many of the communities we serve are located along these rivers. Based on our data, we estimate that around 60% of the waste we collect would have been openly burned and 40% would have ended up in the rivers or ocean.

Open burning is particularly harmful — it releases toxic fumes and damages local crops. In fact, our collectors have reported that fruit trees near burning sites have stopped producing due to pollution.

Waste Disposal

We recycle about 80% of everything we collect, focusing on materials that can actually be reused. Some loss is inevitable from dirt or contamination, but nearly all of what we gather is recycled — giving it a new life instead of returning it to the environment. By focusing on recyclables, we’re able to maximize both environmental and financial impact.

Types of Materials Collected

Our collections center on recyclable plastics — primarily PET, HDPE, and PP. We started with five types of PET (clear, blue, green, metallic gray, and metallic green) and have since expanded to include film plastic and string. We’re now exploring responsible recycling options for styrofoam and tires, further broadening our impact.

Jobs Created and Community Impact

For every 100 pounds of plastic collected, about 1.5 workdays are created in vulnerable communities. Most of our collectors operate as independent micro-entrepreneurs, earning money by collecting and selling plastic by the pound.

We also organize community cleanups and partner with schools, paying them for the plastic students bring from home. This not only helps fund school improvements but also teaches children about recycling and environmental stewardship.

Long-Term Sustainability

Beyond cleanups, we invest in long-term solutions. Our bonus points program allows collectors to earn rewards like efficient cookstoves that reduce firewood use by 70%, lower carbon emissions, and protect respiratory health.

We also focus heavily on education — helping communities understand why recycling matters and how to do it effectively. These efforts ensure that the positive change continues long after each cleanup ends.

Final Thoughts

Evaluating an ocean cleanup organization isn’t just about numbers — it’s about context, transparency, and legacy. The most impactful projects don’t just remove plastic; they build cleaner, stronger, and more resilient communities for the future.