United By Blue and Klean Kanteen are launching a series of five co-branded, stainless-steel products that, with each purchase, will remove a pound of trash from a river or ocean. The collaboration will hit stores in mid-July.
Rooted in mission-driven DNA, both United By Blue and Klean Kanteen are Certified B Corporations; for-profit businesses that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental responsibility, accountability, and transparency. Coming together for the first time, United By Blue and Klean Kanteen are eager to combine company resources toward a shared passion: the reduction of single-use plastics and commitment to clean water.
“Bringing attention to our universal reliance on clean water and the impact of single-use plastics in our environment was a major reason why we started United By Blue,” said Brian Linton, Founder and President of United By Blue, which makes apparel and accessories. “We’re very glad to have the opportunity to work together with another company that shares our passion toward clean water and the elimination of plastics.”
To kick-off the partnership, United By Blue and Klean Kanteen participated in a full-day clean-up of Big Chico Creek with Klean company employees on Friday, April 13. Klean Kanteen will also donate 2,500 insulated stainless steel pint cups to volunteers from across the country who participate in 2016 United By Blue clean-up efforts, with 35 scheduled nationally for the remainder of 2016.
“Klean Kanteen is excited to partner with fellow B-Corp United By Blue, to inspire grassroots action around issues we’re both passionate about: single use waste and clean water. A longtime 1% for the Planet member, our philosophy has always been grounded in environmental stewardship. As a business community, strength in numbers is incredibly important. Together with United by Blue, we can help people to take an active role as stewards to our planet and give back to the places we live and play,” says Michelle Kalberer, Co-Owner of Klean Kanteen.
Upon founding United By Blue in 2010, company founders wanted to instill a permanent culture of stewardship around healing our waterways and oceans. By associating each product sold with the removal of one pound of trash from waterways, United By Blue unites this mission with business objectives. United By Blue does not write checks or accept donations; rather the company fulfills the pledge through company-organized and hosted cleanups. Since 2010, United By Blue has hosted 147 cleanups in 23 states, with more than 4,000 volunteers removing 280,000 pounds of trash.
