Creating Change

Our Ask

It's simple: Open yourself up to change.

We've curated some some of our favorite things from around the internet. Hopefully, you'll find some new plastic-free brands, amazing ocean conservation organizations, and Instagram accounts worth following (after our own, of course).

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Change Starts Small

This is our Ocean CUPS mantra. We spend our lifetimes looking for patterns, confidence, and stability. Habits form over years. They can be difficult to shake. 

In 2007, behavior scientist and Stanford professor, BJ Fogg, PhD, created a surprisingly simple graph explaining behavior change. Today, we call this the "Fogg Behavior Model." It applies to behavior of all kinds, across cultures and across all ages. 

B=MAP

In his own words, Professor Fogg explains his formula like this:

"Behavior (B) happens when Motivation (M), Ability (A), and a Prompt (P) come together at the same moment."

Credit: SUE Behavioural Design, referencing the original term "trigger" instead of the current "prompt"

When a desired (or changed) behavior does not happen, the motivation, one's ability, or a trigger/prompt is missing. 

If enough motivation exists to behave a certain way, and the physical, mental, and emotional ability are there too, one simply needs a reminder (or ask) to do so.

Literally anything can be explained this way.

An Example:

Ditching Plastic Straws

If people really want to continue using straws (for convenience, etc.), or if they do not know that alternatives exist, they have low motivation to change. 

The availability of non-plastic straws at restaurants and fast food chains means that our ability is already lowered. 

Common triggers or prompts are ads. Smaller companies rarely have the advertising budgets to reach many people, so we don't know about alternative straws. Another common prompt is social influence. We often follow the advice of family and friends. The more popular, say, reusable straws are, the more likely we are to use them too.

So...

If you know plastic straws are harmful to the environment (motivation), are able to buy straws at home (ability), and you know that alternative straws exist from ads or from your social circle (triggers/prompts), your behavior can change.

Plastic-Free Brands

Did you know that "hay" or "straw" is made from wheat stalks? We typically harvest wheat seeds for flour, but the byproducts are, well, straws made of hay.

We marvel at their ingenuity with something so simple, and we love that you can toss them right into your compost after use.

It's pronounced EH-tee, and they are UH-mazing. They offer food wraps and bags, dish soap, toothbrushes, body bars, and LOO-fahs.

Etee makes its products with 100% biodegradable, natural materials. Better still, they ship in plastic-free biodegradable packaging.

It's incredibly comfortable clothing made from bamboo. (That's right!) The folks at Free Fly Apparel love to talk about how their products are "buttery-soft," and they are. PLUS, bamboo also offers natural UV protection.

They harvest bamboo in China's northern forests, from FSC-certified regenerative farmland, which use minimal water and no pesticides or fertilizers. By 2022, they've committed to launching a more sustainable poly bag for packaging and shipping.

Ocean Conservation

For over 20 years, Coastkeeper has protected Orange County's water. They help keep it swimmable, drinkable, and fishable today, and into the future.

They educate and inspire the community, organize and lead beach cleanups, and advocate for clean water laws. And if you live in southern California, you can get involved.

In 1984, a group of four Malibu surfers grew inspired to actively protect our oceans. Today, there are 80 chapters, 96 student clubs, and over 1 million supporters, volunteers, and activists fighting across the U.S. to protect our coasts.

The organization fights against plastic pollution, and works to protect our ocean ecosystem, beach access, coastal preservation, and clean water. If your are interested, you can find a coastal chapter near you.

Environmental artist, Wyland, had a wonderful dream. It had far greater size, scope, and majesty than the “Wyland’s Walls” that grace skyscrapers, sports arenas, and structures around the world.

That dream grew fins with his foundation, which inspires ocean love and advocacy through public art programs, classroom science education, and live events. Art + Action = Incredible WOW Factor.

Follow-Worthy

Extra Credit:

If you're interested in a hearing more from Professor Fogg, you can visit his website, pick up his book, or check out this two-minute video where he describes his model perfectly 👇.

 

  

 

The Wave

We invite you to join our community, The Wave where we share amazing "ocean magic," helpful beach cleanup tips, and product updates as we work through our research and development process.

Never email trash, just the good stuff.

And next, check out Product Updates, so you keep tabs on our R&D process!

Thank you for being you.