Parley for the Oceans: The Movement Turning Ocean Plastic Into Real Change

Founded in 2012 by Cyrill Gutsch, Parley for the Oceans operates on a conviction that saving the oceans requires more than policy or science — it requires the combined energy of art, design, business, and activism working together. Their approach turns environmentalism into culture rather than obligation.

The AIR Strategy sits at the centre of everything they do: Avoid plastic wherever possible. Intercept plastic waste before it reaches the ocean. Redesign materials and systems for a future without plastic dependency. It is a framework that has driven partnerships with Adidas, Prada, and Stella McCartney, as well as artists, filmmakers, and scientists across the globe.

Parley also funds direct action — beach cleanups, plastic interception systems, community education programmes in the coastlines most affected by pollution. The limited-edition products made from upcycled marine plastic are both symbolic and functional: proof that design can reduce harm while making the argument visible.

A portion of proceeds from the Paris New York photobook featured elsewhere on this page is donated to Parley. Worth knowing, and worth supporting directly.