Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you wanted to ask before donating.
Don't see your question? Email hello@tideyocean.org and we'll add it.
Is Tidey Ocean a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
Yes. Tidey Ocean Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
How is donation money tracked?
Every cleanup is recorded on BanQu, a blockchain-based traceability platform. Each entry captures the location, date, weight collected, and the named collector who recovered the plastic. Donors and partners can audit the chain of custody.
Where does Tidey work?
Our primary operations are along the Maria Linda and Achiguate rivers on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. The Maria Linda is the most polluting river on the west coast of the Americas. We also run domestic cleanup events, including an annual Ocean Day cleanup at Utah Lake.
What does $1 actually pay for?
$1 funds 1 pound of ocean-bound plastic recovery on average. $50 funds one full fair-wage workday for a Guatemalan collector plus 50 pounds of plastic recovered. The math is conservative and includes recycling logistics.
How do I get a tax receipt?
Tax receipts are emailed automatically after each donation. If you need a copy or an annual giving statement, email donors@tideyocean.org with the email used at the time of donation.
Can my business partner with Tidey?
Yes. We offer four programs: Sponsor a Cleanup, the 1 Pound Promise (per-product offset), Plastic Neutral Business (supply-chain offset), and direct purchase of recycled material (coming soon). All come with verified reporting.
Where can I see Tidey's partners?
The Partners page lists every brand that has funded plastic cleanup with us, organized by tier from Bronze (up to 5,000 lbs) to Platinum (25,000+ lbs). New partners are added as they cross each threshold.
How can I volunteer?
Tidey has open volunteer roles in digital marketing, graphic design, project management, and board membership. Local cleanup events also welcome on-the-ground volunteers. See the Join Team page or email hello@tideyocean.org.
Why focus on rivers instead of the open ocean?
The plastic ocean crisis is solved by closing the source rivers, not by cleaning the open gyre. Roughly 90% of ocean plastic enters from a few dozen rivers in countries with limited collection infrastructure. Stopping plastic upstream is faster, cheaper, and more permanent.