E.P.I.C. | Plastic Pollution Emergency Response™
E.P.I.C. | Plastic Pollution Emergency Response™
Clear answers about Ocean Legacy Foundation, the ocean plastic problem, and our EPIC solutions: education, policy, infrastructure and cleanup. Find out what we collect and recycle, how to join a cleanup, how to partner with us and how to give.
No questions match that search. Try a different word, or ask us directly.
Who we are, what EPIC means and where we work.
Ocean Legacy Foundation is a Canadian non-profit organization working to end ocean plastic pollution. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in British Columbia, we prevent plastic pollution, remove waste from aquatic environments, and build circular solutions that turn recovered marine plastics into useful resources.
We bring together communities, Indigenous Nations, governments, industry, researchers and environmental organizations to create lasting change.
Ocean Legacy's mission is to end ocean plastic pollution. We do this by combining education, policy development, infrastructure and cleanup, an integrated approach we call EPIC.
We work to ensure that recovered plastics are managed responsibly and, wherever possible, transformed into useful resources. Our vision is a world where oceans thrive, free from the devastating impacts of plastic pollution.
EPIC is Ocean Legacy's four-part framework for ending plastic pollution. It stands for Education, Policy, Infrastructure and Cleanup:
The four pillars work together to address both the causes and the consequences of plastic pollution.
Ocean Legacy is headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, and works with partners across Canada and internationally.
Our projects respond to local needs while helping build scalable systems for marine plastic collection, recycling and prevention.
Ocean Legacy Foundation is a federally registered Canadian non-profit organization (Certificate of Incorporation 907885-1, BC Society XS-0063679).
Because we are a non-profit and not a registered charity, tax receipts are issued by our charitable giving partner, Charitable Impact Foundation (Canada), which hosts the Ocean Legacy giving group. See Are donations eligible for tax receipts?
Since 2013, Ocean Legacy has recovered millions of pounds of plastic pollution from the environment. Highlights from our 2025 Impact Report include:
Read the full 2025 Impact Report (PDF).
Ocean Legacy's recent recognition includes:
Ocean Legacy also endorses the Ocean Plastics Charter.
Yes. Ocean Legacy's crew appears in Season 1, Episode 3 of West Harbour Heroes, a 10-part documentary series streaming on Crave. Our work has also been covered by national outlets including CBC and The Globe and Mail.
See our press coverage and blog for the latest.
Our founders, board of directors and crew.
Ocean Legacy Foundation was co-founded in 2013 by Chloé Dubois and James Middleton. Both still lead the organization: Chloé Dubois is Executive Director and Vice Chair of the board, and James Middleton is Managing Director and a board director.
Ocean Legacy Foundation is governed by its board of directors:
Read their full biographies on our Board of Directors and Crew page.
Day to day, Ocean Legacy is led by Executive Director Chloé Dubois and Managing Director James Middleton, with a crew working in cleanup and field operations, depot operations, laboratory services, education, outreach, health and safety, human resources and finance.
The short answers. Our Ocean Plastic Problem page has the full picture, with sources and videos.
Marine plastic pollution is discarded, lost or abandoned plastic found in oceans, rivers, lakes, shorelines and coastal communities. It includes fishing gear, rope, nets, floats, packaging, consumer plastics and other waste that threatens wildlife, habitats, communities and coastal economies.
An estimated 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, and plastic makes up about 80% of all marine pollution, according to UNESCO. A 2023 study published in PLOS ONE estimated that more than 170 trillion plastic particles are now afloat in the world's oceans.
Our Ocean Plastic Problem page collects the key facts and their sources.
Most ocean plastic starts on land. About 80% enters the ocean through rivers and coastlines, and about 20% comes from marine sources such as fishing nets, ropes and vessels, according to Our World in Data.
Plastic pollution is the result of waste mismanagement and the overconsumption of plastic. Where communities lack the infrastructure to collect and process plastic, it leaks into waterways and out to sea.
Ghost gear is abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing and aquaculture equipment, such as nets, ropes, lines, traps and floats. This equipment can keep trapping or injuring marine life long after it has been lost.
Ocean Legacy recovers ghost gear through cleanups, accepts it at Ocean Plastic Depots, and recycles it into new material.
Microplastics are pieces of plastic smaller than 5 millimetres. Plastic in the ocean does not disappear. Sunlight, waves and abrasion break it into smaller and smaller fragments that can persist for hundreds of years.
Microplastics are now found in the digestive systems of sea life, birds and mammals, in seafood and bottled water, and in the human body.
Marine animals are harmed when they become entangled in plastic or mistake it for food. Entanglement in nets, rope and strapping can cause injury, drowning and starvation, and swallowed plastic can block or damage the digestive system.
Widely cited estimates attribute the deaths of more than 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals each year to plastic pollution. Plastic also damages habitats and the coastal communities and economies that depend on a healthy ocean.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a large area of the North Pacific Ocean where currents concentrate floating plastic. It sits in one of five major ocean gyres, the rotating current systems where plastic and debris collect and keep being replenished.
It is often described as about twice the size of Texas. It is mostly a spread-out soup of small plastic pieces, not a solid island.
Marine plastic is hard to recycle because it has been exposed to saltwater, sunlight, sand, organic matter and other contaminants, and it often combines several materials that are difficult to separate.
Ocean Legacy develops specialized collection, sorting, cleaning, shredding and processing systems to recover as much usable material as possible.
Use less plastic, and keep the plastic you do use out of the environment. Practical places to start:
For everyday ideas, read 10 easy ways to reduce your daily plastic consumption.
Explore the Ocean Plastic ProblemRead: Turning Marine Debris Into Valuable Resources
EPIC Academy, classroom resources, presentations and research.
Yes. Ocean Legacy provides educational programming, technical knowledge, public presentations and speaking engagements on plastic pollution, circularity, ocean stewardship, innovation and collaborative environmental action.
Our free online curriculum is EPIC Academy. To ask about a presentation or speaker, contact us.
EPIC Academy is Ocean Legacy's free online ocean plastic education platform. It offers 10 self-paced lessons in two levels, from the basics of ocean plastic to planning recycling systems and advocating for change.
Start at epicacademy.ca.
Yes. Enrollment in EPIC Academy is completely free with registration. If the lessons are valuable to you, you can choose to donate any amount to help sustain them.
EPIC Academy is for individual learners and for educators teaching student groups aged 14 and up. Choose your language before you register, because progress is tracked separately in each language.
EPIC Academy has ten lessons in two levels.
Level 1, The Ocean Plastic Issue (beginner):
Level 2, Take Action on Ocean Plastic (advanced):
Yes. Each lesson ends with a short quiz and earns a digital badge. After you complete all ten lessons and pass the quizzes and final exam, you receive a digital Certificate of Completion to print or share.
Each certificate carries a unique QR code that verifies it is authentic.
Yes. The curriculum can be taught in a classroom or taken online at each student's own pace. Teachers who register get access to a Teacher's Downloads page with slide decks, teacher's guides, activity sheets and quizzes.
Register as a teacher at epicacademy.ca.
The Marine Debris Solutions Education Handbook, Transforming Wasted Plastics Into a Valuable Resource, is a free 17-page guide to the lifecycle of plastic, its effects on ecosystems and human health, and research on plastic pollution in the marine environment.
Download it in English (PDF) or Spanish (PDF).
Yes. Ocean Legacy collaborates with researchers, academic institutions, industry partners and governments to improve material identification, recycling technology, product development, environmental monitoring and our understanding of marine plastic pollution.
Our Plastic Testing Laboratory in Richmond, BC supports this work with material testing and analysis.
How we push for better systems, standards and regulations.
Ocean Legacy advocates for policies that stop plastic pollution at its source and improve how plastic is managed at the end of its life. We work with volunteers, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous, federal, provincial, regional and local governments, industry and international partners on measures such as:
Our goal is to support sustainable policies, in Canada and internationally, that help end plastic pollution.
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that makes the companies that produce products and packaging responsible for collecting and recycling them at the end of their life.
Ocean Legacy supports EPR standards because they fund collection and recycling systems and give producers a reason to design products that are easier to recover.
Ocean Legacy's policy reports and papers include:
We also publish an annual impact report. The latest is the 2025 Impact Report (PDF).
The Missing Millions report looks at the role of beverage containers and their caps in ocean litter and at British Columbia's declining beverage container recycling rates. It makes five recommendations to the BC government:
Motion 151 (M-151) called for a national strategy to combat plastic pollution in Canada. It was introduced by Gord Johns, Member of Parliament for Courtenay-Alberni, and passed with unanimous support in the House of Commons in December 2018.
Ocean Legacy supports the call for a national strategy. Read more about Motion 151.
Yes. Ocean Legacy supports an international agreement to end plastic pollution. Our report Plastic Pollution is a Threat to Global Security argues that a dedicated international legal framework is needed to drive worldwide action.
Ocean Legacy is also a signatory to Towards a Zero Plastic Waste Canada, a declaration that calls on Canada to champion a global treaty.
Depots, accepted materials, our facility, Legacy Plastic, the lab and programs for marine businesses.
An Ocean Plastic Depot is a secure community site where marine debris is sorted and stored before it is shipped to Ocean Legacy's processing facility in Richmond, BC. Depots have been diverting marine plastic from landfill since 2020.
Depots serve shoreline cleanup groups and coastal communities, and give aquaculture, fishing and marine industries a place to recycle used gear. Gathering material at depots means fewer, larger shipments, which saves fuel and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Ocean Plastic Depots operate in coastal communities in British Columbia and in Nova Scotia. Locations include:
Hours and accepted materials differ by depot, so please check oceanplasticdepot.ca or contact your depot before you go.
Ocean Legacy accepts marine debris and end-of-life marine plastics. What we can take depends on the location and its processing capacity, and may include:
Not all materials are accepted at every depot. Please contact Ocean Legacy before delivering material to confirm that it can be accepted and to get preparation instructions.
Ocean Legacy does not accept hazardous materials. According to our depot sorting guide, items that are not accepted include:
See the depot sorting guide (PDF) for details, and ask your depot if you are unsure.
No. Ocean Legacy's facilities and programs are designed for marine, coastal, fishing, aquaculture, industrial and cleanup-related materials. We are not a replacement for municipal household recycling programs.
Please use your local recycling program for household items first.
Separate materials by type and keep them as clean and dry as reasonably possible. Before you deliver:
Requirements can vary by location, so please contact us before arranging a delivery.
Fees may apply to help cover the cost of receiving, sorting, storing, transporting and processing materials. Ocean Plastic Depots operate with memberships, and large volumes may be arranged as direct shipments to our facility.
Marine businesses can join the Marine Plastic Management Program, which includes discounted tipping fees for good sorting and tracking practices. Contact Ocean Legacy for current membership options and a project-specific assessment.
Yes. Ocean Legacy works with fishing, aquaculture, harbour, marine transportation and other coastal industries to develop responsible collection and recycling solutions.
Acceptance requirements, service availability and fees depend on the material, volume, condition and location. Businesses with large volumes should contact us about direct shipping, or join the Marine Plastic Management Program.
The Marine Plastic Management Program (MPMP) helps marine-sector organizations responsibly manage their end-of-life plastics. It is designed for businesses in fisheries, aquaculture, marine transportation and coastal tourism.
Members get practical support that can include:
There are four membership tiers (Starfish, Salmon, Octopus and Orca) based on annual recycling volume, with annual fees currently ranging from $150 to $500. Learn more or apply to join the MPMP.
Ocean Legacy's Plastic Pollution Emergency Response facility in Richmond, BC is the first ocean plastic reclamation, recycling and processing centre of its kind in Canada. It was created to recover and reprocess marine debris collected during shoreline and community cleanups.
The facility is not always open, so please contact us before visiting. Material drop-offs are by appointment and must be coordinated in advance. More about the facility.
No. Not every piece of marine debris can currently be recycled. Contamination, material degradation, mixed components and limited end markets all affect recyclability.
Ocean Legacy prioritizes reuse and recycling wherever technically and economically possible and directs remaining materials to the most responsible available management option. In 2025, about 95% of the material from our cleanups was diverted from landfill.
Recyclable marine plastics are turned into recycled plastic feedstock that manufacturers use to make new products. This reduces waste and displaces virgin plastic. The process has six steps:
For the bigger picture, read Turning Marine Debris Into Valuable Resources by Chloé Dubois.
Legacy Plastic is Ocean Legacy's recycled plastic resin. It is a high-grade, 100% post-consumer resin made from plastics recovered from used marine gear, shorelines and the ocean, for manufacturing durable new products while reducing the need for virgin feedstock.
Legacy Plastic is sold through a licensing system, and product specifications are available on request. For bulk resin inquiries, visit legacyplastic.ca or call (604) 214-3591.
Plastic recovered by Ocean Legacy has been made into plastic lumber, park benches, picnic tables and patio furniture, hanging planters and growing towers, compost bins, soap dishes and garden tools.
You can buy recycled ocean plastic products, plastic lumber and apparel at the Ocean Legacy shop. Plastic lumber is sold by the unit or bundle for pickup in Richmond, BC. For wholesale pricing, email .
Ocean Legacy's Plastic Testing Laboratory in Richmond, BC offers affordable plastic material testing and analysis for recyclers, manufacturers, compounders and product designers. Tests include:
Tests can be ordered individually or as bundles, and process consultation is available to help troubleshoot material or processing issues. For details and pricing, visit the Plastic Testing Laboratory page or email .
Tote-to-Tote is Canada's first recycling program for fish totes. In partnership with Sæplast, Ocean Legacy recovers end-of-life fish totes and transforms them into brand-new containers.
The program diverts plastic from landfill, strengthens the circular ocean economy, and gives seafood processors and fisheries a measurable sustainability action. Contact us to take part.
The Dock Foam Float Collection Pilot is a program that collects and responsibly manages old foam dock floats. Ocean Legacy launched it in 2026 in partnership with the Province of British Columbia and the shíshálh Nation, within the shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan area.
Dock owners, marina operators, coastal residents and aquaculture operators pre-registered from May 8, 2026, and collection ran through June and July 2026. For updates on future collections, see the pilot page or contact us.
Yes. Ocean Plastic Depots now accept wetsuits. Not every depot accepts every material, so please check with your depot before you drop one off.
Infrastructure DevelopmentOcean Plastic DepotsLegacy Plastic
Shoreline cleanups, volunteering and running a cleanup of your own.
Yes. Ocean Legacy supports and delivers shoreline, coastal, aquatic and ghost gear cleanup projects with trained crews, community organizations, Indigenous Nations, government agencies, industry partners and volunteers.
In 2025, we cleaned 38.85 km of shoreline and supported 33 public cleanups. More about Cleanup & Restoration.
Yes, when opportunities are available. Volunteer opportunities depend on project location, timing, safety requirements and capacity. Some projects are open to the public, while remote or technically complex operations require trained crews.
To get started:
Ocean Legacy runs cleanup expeditions with small, qualified groups, and we welcome qualified volunteers who can offer their skills, time and energy. Apply through our Cleanup Expeditions page.
If you cannot join an expedition, you can still help with donations of food, supplies or funds, or by joining a public cleanup near you.
Possibly. Cleanup projects depend on environmental urgency, accessibility, safety, permissions, transportation, available funding and processing capacity.
Please contact Ocean Legacy with photographs, the location, estimated quantities and details about the materials present.
Potentially, but arrangements must be confirmed in advance. Contact us before you begin so we can give guidance on safety, sorting, documentation, transportation and accepted materials.
Material should be lightly pre-sorted and bagged, and deliveries need to be coordinated with your depot or with our Richmond facility. See how to prepare materials.
Start with Ocean Legacy's free guide, How to Plan a Cleanup: A Strategic Framework (PDF). It covers three phases: planning before the cleanup, running the cleanup, and what to do afterwards, including safety, sorting and transport.
If you hope to recycle what you collect, contact us before the cleanup to confirm what can be accepted.
The Wild Pledge is a promise to travel with care when visiting Vancouver Island communities and wild places. Taking it means pledging to pack out what you pack in, to reduce plastic pollution.
Take the Wild Pledge and share it with #LiveTheWildPledge.
Working with Nations, communities, industry, researchers and sponsors.
Ocean Legacy collaborates with Indigenous Nations, coastal communities, non-profit organizations, governments, universities, researchers, fishing and aquaculture operators, manufacturers, recyclers and businesses committed to preventing plastic pollution and advancing circular solutions.
Companies can support Ocean Legacy through project sponsorship, program participation, material recovery, research, recycled-material procurement, employee engagement, transportation support, equipment contributions or strategic partnerships.
Opportunities range from activating a community cleanup or funding depot equipment, to sponsoring expeditions, to multi-year program and infrastructure partnerships. We work with each partner to find practical opportunities that create measurable impact. See sponsorship opportunities.
Yes. Ocean Legacy works with Indigenous Nations and communities on cleanup, training, employment, infrastructure, research and long-term plastic pollution solutions. One example is the Dock Foam Float Collection Pilot, delivered in partnership with the shíshálh Nation and the Province of British Columbia.
We strive to build respectful relationships based on local priorities, knowledge, capacity and leadership.
Tax receipts, ways to give and what your support makes possible.
You can support Ocean Legacy's work by:
Yes, when you give through our charitable giving page. Tax-receipted donations are made to the Ocean Legacy giving group hosted by Charitable Impact Foundation (Canada), which issues the tax receipt.
Ocean Legacy Foundation is a federally registered Canadian non-profit, not a registered charity, so gifts made directly to Ocean Legacy on our donate page are not tax-receipted. Those unrestricted gifts are just as welcome: they help fund the operating costs that our charitable program budget does not cover.
You can give to Ocean Legacy with or without a tax receipt.
With a tax receipt, through Charitable Impact on our giving page:
Without a tax receipt, directly to Ocean Legacy on our donate page: online, by Interac e-Transfer or by cheque. We also accept donations of food and supplies.
Donations fund Ocean Legacy's EPIC programs: cleanup and environmental restoration, community education and engagement, and circular economy and infrastructure development.
On average, it costs about $4 to $5 to safely remove one pound of plastic pollution from the environment. That means a $500 gift helps remove roughly 100 pounds of plastic.
Yes. Major gifts are tax-receipted through Charitable Impact and directly advance the EPIC program. Ocean Legacy also welcomes sponsorships, in-kind and operational support, and other forms of strategic support.
Visit Leadership Giving to see the options or to book a confidential conversation with our Executive Director.
Yes. Ocean Legacy welcomes in-kind donations that support cleanup crews and operations, including non-perishable food, first aid and safety supplies, fuel, outdoor apparel, expedition supplies, and mechanical or maintenance services.
See the current list on our donate page, or contact us if you have equipment, skills or facilities to offer.
Yes. 100% of proceeds from the Ocean Legacy shop support ongoing ocean and shoreline cleanups and recycling activities. The shop carries recycled ocean plastic products, plastic lumber and awareness apparel.
Donate with a tax receiptOther ways to giveLeadership Giving
How to reach the right person and keep up with our work.
The best way to reach Ocean Legacy is through the contact form on our website, or by phone at (604) 214-3591. Include a brief description of your question, material, project, partnership opportunity or cleanup location. Photographs, estimated quantities, material types and location details help our team respond more effectively.
When positions are open, Ocean Legacy shares them on our Careers page and social channels. You are also welcome to get in touch and introduce yourself, or to volunteer.
Together, we can turn plastic pollution into lasting environmental and economic solutions.
Last updated October 2026.