Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you wanted to ask before donating.
Don't see your question? Email info@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?
Collection is recorded on BanQu, a blockchain-based traceability platform. Each entry captures the date, the weight, and the collector who delivered the plastic, with location captured where field conditions allow. The impact page publishes where that record is incomplete, including the share of historical volume logged without a collector name.
Where does Tidey work?
Our primary operations are along the Maria Linda and Achiguate rivers on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. We also run domestic cleanup events, including an annual Ocean Day cleanup at Utah Lake.
What does $1 actually pay for?
$1 recovers 1 pound of ocean-bound plastic on average, covering collection, sorting, and recycling logistics. It is not the rate we pay a collector. Collectors are paid directly, by the pound, when they deliver, and that rate is set separately from what a donation costs us.
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 info@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 4,999 lbs) to Platinum (200,000+ 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 info@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. More than 1,000 rivers account for roughly 80% of the plastic reaching the ocean from land, most of them in countries with limited collection infrastructure (Meijer et al., Science Advances, 2021). Stopping plastic upstream is faster, cheaper, and more permanent.