Odyssey Innovation Limited was born out of a single, unshakeable conviction: that plastic pollution in our oceans is not inevitable, and that the waste already out there can become something extraordinary. This is the story of how it all began — and why it still drives everything we do.
Where It All Began: Fathoms Free
Rob Thompson's marine conservation journey started in 2014 when he founded Fathoms Free, a volunteer group that rapidly grew into a movement. Divers, artists, photographers, engineers, and passionate individuals from all walks of life came together to take direct action — conducting marine plastic retrieval dives, ghost gear recoveries, awareness events, and beach cleans along the UK coastline.
What started as a grassroots effort quickly revealed the sheer scale of the problem. And with scale came a question that Rob couldn't shake: what happens to all this plastic once it's collected?
A Royal Pledge
In July 2015, Rob met Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, at The Ocean Plastics Awareness Day. There, he signed a Statement of Intent — a personal pledge to explore ways to develop a genuine circular economy around marine plastic.
It wasn't just a ceremonial moment. It was a commitment that set the direction for everything that followed.
The Eureka Moment
The idea that would become Odyssey Innovation arrived during a kayak litter pick. At the end of the session, the group gathered around a haul of bin bags for a team photo — kayaks lined up in the background, plastic waste piled in front. Rob looked at the scene and something clicked.
"What if we made the kayaks out of the plastic we collected — and then used those kayaks to collect more?"
It was a simple idea with profound implications. Three years of product development later, Odyssey Innovation produced the world's first kayak made from 100% recycled marine plastic — a fully circular product that proved the concept was not just possible, but scalable.
From Idea to Impact
Since that moment, Odyssey Innovation has grown from a single product into a multi-award winning circular economy business. Key milestones include:
- Launching the Net Regeneration Scheme — the UK's only free fishing gear recycling programme, now operating across 21 harbours and having diverted over 200,000kg of plastic from landfill
- Partnering with Fatyak Kayaks to produce the world's first bodyboard made from 100% recycled ocean plastic
- Developing the Scuttle the Cuttle microplastic collection tool, used in beach cleans and educational programmes across Malta and the UK
- Receiving endorsement from the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI)
- Being invited to No. 10 Downing Street and shortlisted for multiple sustainability awards
Shop Our Recycled Marine Plastic Products
Every product we make is a direct result of this journey — designed to prove that marine plastic waste is a resource, not a problem. Explore our range and become part of the circular economy:
- The Odyssey Recycled Marine Plastic Surfing Handplane
- The Odyssey x Fatyak Hönö Recycled Marine Plastic Bodyboard
👉 Get in touch to learn more about our work, partnerships, or CSR programmes.