Ocean Friendly Establishments
Owners and managers of certified Ocean Friendly Establishments.
About OFE
The “Ocean Friendly Establishment” (OFE) is a community-based certification earned by businesses that reduce their waste and seek out sustainable options in serving their community. The OFE initiative, launched in 2015, started locally on the east coast of North Carolina. It has since spread across the United States and internationally.
Our History
Ginger Taylor started “Wrightsville Beach Keep It Clean” in 2009 as an effort to organize sea turtle volunteers to pick up litter on the beach. Taylor noticed the huge amount of straws she found on just one stretch of beach. “Straws have been a huge concern for me ever since, because we find so many and because it seems like such an easy item to eliminate from the ever growing plastic pollution problem,” says Taylor. With support from the community, the NC Marine Debris Symposium, and non-profits like Plastic Ocean Project, Ocean Friendly Establishments (OFE) grew from an idea to a grassroots organization.
What Are Ocean Friendly Establishments?
Ocean Friendly Establishments was launched out of concern about the overwhelming amount of plastics polluting the Earth. In an effort to reduce plastic pollution around the nation, owners and managers of certified OFEs have agreed to reduce waste in their businesses by only serving straws upon request. As an individual, a small way to make a big impact is to skip the straw when ordering a beverage. Not only does the OFE campaign include restaurants that make changes to avoid plastic waste and become more sustainable (such as choosing compostable materials and avoiding plastic straws, styrofoam, and plastic bags), but it also advocates for sustainability and ocean friendly practices in non-restaurant establishments (such as providing recycling or composting containers for employees and encouraging electronic documentation. Many of the OFEs incorporate additional methods of protecting our environment and have earned a higher status for their efforts, with a 5-star rating being the top-level certification.
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An Ocean Friendly Establishment is a business that voluntarily makes environmentally-friendly business decisions, primarily reducing the use of single-use plastics. Certified Ocean Friendly Establishments have agreed to only serve straws upon request as a basic requirement for certification. Additional environmentally-conscious practices, outlined in the forms above, can earn the participating business additional stars. A business can earn up to five stars based on how many actions they’re taking.
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This is a self-regulated initiative, and businesses are encouraged to ensure all employees are educated and adhering to the initiative. Educational sessions are available by request if you contact your local chapter or send us an email. OFE volunteers are available to provide information to help you become more environmentally-friendly and earn more stars.
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As an Ocean Friendly Establishment, participating businesses will receive a window decal and certificate that they can proudly share with the community to announce their commitment to being Ocean Friendly. Once certified, they will also be featured on Plastic Ocean Project’s website, as well as all relevant social media outlets. We’d love to team up with your local media if this is a new venture in your community.
Become an Ocean Friendly Establishment
Become an OFE by committing to reduce single use disposable plastics supplied to your customers! Complete the application through the button below and your application will be reviewed by our OFE committee. Once approved, you will be notified and your certificate will be delivered!
Current OFEs
Use the map to find ocean-friendly businesses in your area. A darker color indicates a higher OFE rating.
OFE Partners
OFE Chapters
OFE is a chapter-based organization, with our main chapter located in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina. We have chapters all over the United States, including International and are always happy to have new ones started.
Did you know that you can start a chapter in your own town or city?
We’ll support you with resources and tips along the way, and you’ll have the support of one of our volunteers as you get started. Whether you sign up your favorite local restaurant or a non-restaurant business you work for, or you get the larger community on board, you’ll be a part of a team helping to keep our Earth green and our ocean blue for future generations to come.
If you’re thinking about starting a chapter, please contact
ofe@plasticoceanproject.org to get started!