Big Blue Ocean Cleanup
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup is a UK-registered non-profit CIC founded in 2018 that runs a global marine conservation program providing free professional cleanup equipment, school ocean literacy sessions, corporate ESG partnerships, and microplastics research across five regional desks on four continents.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersYork, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Big Blue Ocean Cleanup does
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup is a UK-registered Community Interest Company (CIC), a non-profit social enterprise founded in 2018, dedicated to marine conservation through direct practical action rather than advocacy. Its core offering is an integrated ecosystem of programs: free professional-grade cleanup equipment distributed to volunteers and community groups; a school outreach program delivering ocean literacy sessions to primary and secondary institutions (including UK Scouts badge support); corporate partnership programs offering ESG-aligned engagement events; scientific microplastics research using specialised neuston nets for field data collection; and a Technology Development Platform advancing AI-driven debris detection, predictive hotspot modelling, and autonomous solar-powered recovery systems. The organisation operates a decentralised network across every continent with five staffed regional desks in York (UK), Vancouver (Canada), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), North Sydney (Australia), and Gibraltar, with 100% of donations legally locked into the marine conservation mission under CIC rules.
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Big Blue Ocean Cleanup
- Legal name
- Big Blue Ocean Cleanup CIC
- Website
- https://bigblueoceancleanup.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Big Blue Ocean Cleanup is a UK-registered non-profit CIC founded in 2018 that runs a global marine conservation program providing free professional cleanup equipment, school ocean literacy sessions, corporate ESG partnerships, and microplastics research across five regional desks on four continents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Remediation Services (562910), Materials Recovery Facilities (56292)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine & Coastal Remediation (Shoreline/Port Spill Cleanup) (IMAIAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Pollution Response & Environmental Salvage (Oil Spill, HAZMAT) (IMAJANAF), Pollution Control & Environmental Remediation (Booming, Skimming, Shoreline Cleanup) (TLAHAIAH)
Keywords
Where Big Blue Ocean Cleanup is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- York
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: The organisation operates primarily through donations from individuals and organisations. 100% of contributions are invested back into field operations and ocean restoration, as all resources are legally locked into the mission of marine conservation as a Community Interest Company.
- Corporate Partnerships: Values-aligned corporate collaborations that provide funding and operational support for marine conservation activities. Partnerships are designed for authentic participation focused on values and measurable environmental restoration rather than publicity.
- Plastic Offsetting: Impact estimates based on the volume of marine debris recovered using standardised reusable sacks. Provides clear data on tangible weight of plastic removed from the environment through supporter contributions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Donation-based funding with 100% reinvestment into field operations |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit Community Interest Company that runs global marine conservation through direct action: it distributes professional-grade cleanup equipment (heavy-duty sacks, gloves, safety gear) free of charge to volunteers, schools, communities and corporate groups, and delivers free ocean literacy education, microplastics field research, and technology development (AI debris detection, autonomous recovery drones, sustainable vessels). Operations are funded by donations and corporate partnerships, with 100% of contributions reinvested into field operations.
Product overview
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup operates as a global non-profit marine conservation organisation offering a coordinated ecosystem of programs focused on direct ocean restoration. The core offerings include Professional Cleanup Equipment Distribution (providing professional-grade gear to volunteers, schools, and communities), the School Outreach Program (delivering free expert-led educational sessions and open-source resources), Marine Microplastics Research (using specialised neuston nets for field data collection), the Technology Development Platform (advancing AI-driven debris detection, autonomous recovery systems, and sustainable maritime engineering), and Corporate Partnership Programs (facilitating authentic ESG-aligned collaboration). Additional initiatives include Plastic Offsetting, the Free Cleanup Sacks Initiative, RULMECA Sponsored Reusable Cleanup Sacks, and the UK Scout Support Initiative. The organisation functions as a decentralised network enabling local action while maintaining global operational coordination across UK, Canada, Malaysia, and Australia regional desks.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Professional Cleanup Equipment Distribution Free distribution of professional-grade cleanup gear including heavy-duty sacks, protective gloves and safety resources to individuals, schools, communities and corporate groups to enable coastal plastic removal operations.
- School Outreach Program Free, expert-led educational sessions providing evidence-based ocean literacy for schools and youth organisations, including virtual Zoom Q&As and in-person presentations adapted to all educational levels.
- Marine Microplastics Research Systemic field data collection using specialised neuston nets and precision sampling tools to map microplastic movement, degradation and settlement patterns within marine ecosystems.
- Technology Development Platform Engineering solutions including AI-driven debris detection and predictive modelling, autonomous recovery systems (solar-powered aquatic drones and autonomous surface vessels), sustainable maritime engineering (eco-powered catamarans), and open-source scientific tools for global ocean recovery.
- Corporate Partnership Program Values-aligned corporate collaborations providing authentic ESG integration, logistical expertise and global reach for tangible marine conservation outcomes, including corporate volunteer cleanups and named partnerships.
- Plastic Offsetting Program Impact measurement service offering weight-based estimates of marine debris recovered using standardised reusable sacks, providing supporters with tangible data on plastic removed from the environment.
- Open-Source Educational Resources Free downloadable educational materials for schools, educators and families covering topics such as seabirds, oceans and currents, pollution analysis, and looking to the future for ages 7-14.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% of donations reinvested into field operations and ocean restoration
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Big Blue Ocean Cleanup
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature5 records
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- YuLifecorePartnership with YuLife and Bupa for the 2026 Healthy Cities challenge. YuLife app users can log daily walks, workouts, and mindful minutes to unlock real-world environmental impact. The YuLeague competition is back for 2026 with 164 teams competing for a 1,000,000 YuCoin prize pot.
- BupacoreBupa Healthy Cities initiative partnered with YuLife and Big Blue Ocean Cleanup, demonstrating that the health of our planet is deeply connected to physical well-being.
- UK ScoutscoreProviding free professional-grade cleanup equipment to Scout groups across the UK. Partnership supports badge work including Environmental Conservation Activity Badge and World Challenge Award.
- William Grant & SonsminorSpirit and distillery company volunteers conducted cleanup at Girvan Beach near their historic distillery, supporting their commitment to making a positive contribution to the local environment.
- HERBOSCH-KIERE Marine Contractors LtdminorMarine contractors who stepped away from professional maritime projects to conduct a coastal cleanup, demonstrating shared commitment to environmental protection. Emma Saunders was instrumental in bringing the team together.
- Gateley plcminorLegal services firm employees volunteered for cleanup along the North Welsh coast as part of Gateley's Responsible Business commitment. Cleared significant amounts of waste from microplastics to larger debris.
- HI-TEC EuropeminorBeach cleanup partnership with HI-TEC Europe in Southend-on-Sea.
- TwinklminorEducation technology provider partnered with Big Blue Ocean Cleanup for World Oceans Day initiatives.
- BST Detectable ProductsminorMetal detectable and x-ray visible food-safe plastic products manufacturer supporting Big Blue Ocean Cleanup as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations. What started as a one-off fundraiser could become an annual tradition.
- Duotone Pro CenterminorPartnership for professional imaging and visual content support.
- SeaworkcoreOfficial Headline Non-Profit Partner of Seawork 2025, a commercial marine industry event.
- Party PiecesminorLaunched eco-friendly partyware to support Big Blue Ocean Cleanup, with proceeds benefiting ocean conservation efforts.
- Netflix/Zac Efron's Down to EarthcoreFeatured in Zac Efron's Netflix series 'Down to Earth', with operational footage documenting large-scale plastic recovery missions across UK, Canada, Malaysia, and Australia regional desks.
- RULMECAcoreOfficial partner providing sponsored reusable cleanup sacks. RULMECA logo displayed on plastic cleanups page as official partner.
- One Percent for the PlanetcoreMember of One Percent for the Planet, committing to environmental giving standards. Logo displayed on website footer.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- 4ocean: 4ocean is a direct peer operating a global ocean plastic cleanup operation funded through a product-driven (bracelet sales) model. Both organizations focus on coastal and ocean plastic recovery, employ volunteer-driven cleanup models, and offer plastic offsetting/credit products to consumers and brands.
- The Ocean Cleanup: The Ocean Cleanup is a direct peer focused on ocean plastic removal, with a distinctive technology-first approach using passive drifting systems and river interceptors. Both organizations target ocean plastic pollution, share the marine conservation mission, and compete for corporate ESG partnership and donor mindshare.
- Plastic Bank: Plastic Bank is a direct peer operating a plastic offsetting and recovery platform that converts recovered ocean-bound plastic into social impact tokens. Both organizations monetize plastic recovery through corporate partnerships and offer measurable plastic offsetting products, though Plastic Bank emphasizes collection infrastructure over volunteer cleanup.
- Surfrider Foundation: Surfrider Foundation is a direct peer running volunteer-led beach cleanup programs (Beach Cleanup Program) alongside marine conservation advocacy and education. Both organizations engage community volunteers, partner with schools, and emphasize coastal plastic removal with a similar decentralized chapter model.
Regional players
- Marine Conservation Society: Marine Conservation Society is a UK-based peer with comparable volunteer beach cleanup programs (Great British Beach Clean), citizen science initiatives, and educational outreach. Both organizations target UK coastal communities, schools, and corporate partnerships, though MCS focuses more on policy and lobbying than direct cleanup.
Broad incumbents
- Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Sea Shepherd is a broader marine conservation nonprofit with direct-action campaigns across marine ecosystems. While their operational model differs (vessel-based enforcement), both organizations share the marine conservation mission, rely on donor funding, and engage volunteer networks for ocean protection activities.
- Ocean Conservancy: Ocean Conservancy is a long-established marine conservation nonprofit with broader advocacy and policy scope than Big Blue. Comparability stems from shared focus on coastal cleanup (International Coastal Cleanup), ocean plastic pollution awareness, and corporate/educational partnerships — though Ocean Conservancy operates at significantly larger scale with policy influence.
- WWF Oceans: WWF's oceans program is a broad incumbent in marine conservation operating at vastly larger scale across plastic pollution, sustainable fisheries, and marine protected areas. Both organizations target corporate partnerships for ocean health funding, though WWF's brand scale and policy influence vastly exceed Big Blue's reach.
Emerging players
- Plastic Pollution Coalition: Plastic Pollution Coalition is an emerging peer organization focused on ending plastic pollution through advocacy, education, and corporate accountability campaigns. Both organizations operate in the ocean plastic pollution space and engage corporate and educational audiences, though Plastic Pollution Coalition emphasizes upstream policy over direct cleanup.
- Healthy Seas (Healthy Seas Foundation): Healthy Seas is an emerging peer focused on marine debris recovery (particularly abandoned fishing nets) through volunteer dive operations and corporate partnerships with fashion/brand sponsors. Both organizations share the marine debris removal mission and corporate partnership model, though Healthy Seas specializes in ghost net recovery.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup social profiles
Digital presenceBig Blue Ocean Cleanup financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Big Blue Ocean Cleanup
What does Big Blue Ocean Cleanup do?
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit Community Interest Company that runs global marine conservation through direct action: it distributes professional-grade cleanup equipment (heavy-duty sacks, gloves, safety gear) free of charge to volunteers, schools, communities and corporate groups, and delivers free ocean literacy education, microplastics field research, and technology development (AI debris detection, autonomous recovery drones, sustainable vessels). Operations are funded by donations and corporate partnerships, with 100% of contributions reinvested into field operations.
Is Big Blue Ocean Cleanup a public or private company?
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Big Blue Ocean Cleanup founded?
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Big Blue Ocean Cleanup based?
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup is headquartered in York, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Big Blue Ocean Cleanup make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships and plastic Offsetting.
Who are Big Blue Ocean Cleanup's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are 4ocean, The Ocean Cleanup, Plastic Bank and Surfrider Foundation. Marine Conservation Society is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Ocean Conservancy and WWF Oceans. Emerging players are Plastic Pollution Coalition and Healthy Seas (Healthy Seas Foundation).
Does Big Blue Ocean Cleanup have an API?
No public API is recorded for Big Blue Ocean Cleanup.
What industry is Big Blue Ocean Cleanup in?
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup's product category is Marine Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIAGAI, Marine & Coastal Remediation (Shoreline/Port Spill Cleanup), with a secondary code of BPADALAI, Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management. Its NAICS code is 562910.