Vantage Apparel proudly participated in the 41st Annual Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep, serving not only as a statewide sponsor of the event, but also as an active volunteer team helping remove debris from New Jersey’s coastline.
This year’s event brought together more than 6,000 volunteers across 40 beaches spanning 130 miles of New Jersey coastline. Together, participants collected nearly 170,000 pieces of litter and debris. Perhaps most notably, 83% of all items collected were plastic; an ongoing remind of the important of reducing waste and supporting sustainable solutions.
For Vantage Apparel, the event aligns closely with company’s commitment to environmental responsibility through its Earthwise Collection, which incorporates REPREVE® recycled performance fabrics made from post-consumer plastic water bottles.
Vantage’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond product innovation. The company has earned an EcoVadis Bronze Medal, recognizing its ongoing efforts in environmental responsibility, ethical business practices, sustainable procurement and corporate social responsibility. “Through initiatives such as the Earthwise Collection and community partnerships like Clean Ocean Action, we continue to invest in programs that create a positive impact both within and beyond the promotional products industry,” said Rob Watson, CEO of Vantage Apparel.
As with every Beach Sweep, volunteers uncovered a few unusual finds among piles of litter. This year’s collection included a wedding ring, a full quart of milk, and even a whole watermelon. And with these unexpected discoveries generating laughs among volunteers, the event’s mission resonates throughout. The data collected during each Beach Sweep helps Clean Ocean Action identify pollution trends, advocate for environmental policies and drive meaningful change throughout the region.
“Our team members and their families live here, children take their first steps in the sand here, and millions of beachgoers vacation here every year,” states Watson. “This event is more than just doing something good for the planet. It’s a chance to make a visible impact and contribute to something larger than ourselves.”
Since its inception in 1985, Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Sweep program has become one of the nation’s most impactful environmental stewardship initiatives. Over the past four decades, volunteers have dedicated more than one million hours and removed nearly nine million pieces of debris from New Jersey beaches and waterways.
To learn more about Vantage Apparel’s sustainability initiatives and Earthwise Collection, visit www.vantageapparel.com/earthwise.