Coastal Blog

It's Ocean Friendly Business Month!

Written by CJ O'Brien Weddle | Oct 1, 2025 6:42:49 PM

October is Ocean Friendly Business Month!

This month, Surfrider is coming together to celebrate the incredible Ocean Friendly Restaurants and Hotels that are leading the way in reducing single-use plastics and protecting our ocean. All month long, chapters and clubs across the Surfrider Network will be hosting ocean-friendly inspired events. Join us in showing our ocean friendly businesses some much deserved love and appreciation!

 

Ocean Friendly Business Impact 

  • 631 Ocean Friendly Restaurants  
  • 34 Ocean Friendly Hotels
  • 32 states plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands with Ocean Friendly Businesses
  • Serving over 41 million single-use plastic-free meals a year
  • Saving 1.3 million single-use plastic water bottles and 2 million mini toiletry bottles from hotels every year

What It Means to Be Ocean Friendly

Each participating businesses must follow a set of criteria that focus on plastic reduction, water conservation, energy efficiency, and more. The result is a community of like-minded restaurants we can promote, support, and lift up as examples of success to influence plastic reduction legislation.

How to Celebrate Ocean Friendly Business Month

  • Attend a local Ocean Friendly inspired chapter or club event
  • Dine at an Ocean Friendly Restaurant
  • Stay at a Ocean Friendly Hotel 
  • Remember to thank Ocean Friendly Business staff for being a part of the program!
  • Write a good review on OFR and OFH's Yelp, Google, Trip Advisor, or Open Table pages - mention that you love that they're Ocean Friendly!
  • Recruit your favorite restaurant or hotel to become Ocean Friendly

How to be an Ocean Friendly Customer All Year Round

  • Bring your own cup or takeout container when eating at restaurants
  • Carry reusable utensils in your bag when you go out to eat or order takeout
  • Remember your refillable water bottle next time you stay at a hotel instead of using disposable water bottles
  • Pack your own toiletries rather than using mini toiletry bottles
  • Join your local Surfrider chapter or student club 

Want to help Surfrider stop plastic pollution at the source? Consider donating today!