VeChain has partnered with environmental organization 4ocean to launch a major ocean cleanup initiative, leveraging blockchain technology for transparency and incentivizing participation. The collaboration, which also involves the UFC Foundation, aims to remove 300,000 pounds of plastic from oceans, rivers, and coastlines in 2025.
The initiative utilizes the Cleanify dApp, built on VeChain's VeBetter ecosystem and powered by the VeChainThor blockchain. This application allows users to log cleanup activities, which are then timestamped and immutably recorded as "Sustainability Proofs." This system directly addresses the challenge of verifying environmental impact claims that has historically hindered sustainability efforts.
A key component is the "Clean-to-Earn" reward model. Participants who complete verified cleanup actions earn both physical 4ocean bracelets, made from recovered ocean plastic, and digital B3TR tokens. The program includes an 11-month sustainability sweepstakes running from February to December 2025, designed to incentivize global participation from beaches, parks, and even backyards.
The partnership was formally unveiled at a beach cleanup event in Miami. VeChain founder Sunny Lu and 4ocean CEO Alex Schulze emphasized the synergy: VeChain provides the technological verification layer, while 4ocean handles the on-the-ground problem-solving. Schulze highlighted that blockchain technology allows users to see exactly where their efforts are going, while Lu noted that rewarding even the smallest individual efforts can collectively create massive impact.
This initiative aligns with VeChain's positioning as a leading enterprise blockchain for sustainability tracking. The VeChainThor blockchain is noted for its energy efficiency, consuming just 0.04% of the energy used by comparable platforms. The company views such real-world use cases as an ideal gateway to onboard new users into the crypto space, moving beyond speculative trading to tangible, daily utility.
