An idea sparked by children came full circle on a Maltese beach. Students from Chiswick House School (CHS), aged between 6 and 8, gathered at Għajn Tuffieħa beach in Malta and recovered an astounding 13,600 pieces of microplastic in under 3 hours — using Scuttle the Cuttle, the very product their enthusiasm helped inspire.
A year earlier, Odyssey Innovation founder Rob Thompson had joined CHS children on the same beach for a clean-up event that planted the seed for Scuttle. Faced with clumsy, impractical tools for collecting microplastics, Rob envisioned something better — a fun, sturdy, purpose-built beach-cleaning tool that could engage young people and turn them into ocean stewards. That idea became Scuttle the Cuttle, a product now celebrated not only for its design but for its ability to inspire the next generation of environmental changemakers.
“Seeing the children using Scuttle on the very beach where the idea was born was one of the most rewarding moments of my career. They weren’t just cleaning up plastic — they were having fun, asking questions, and learning how they could be part of the solution. That’s exactly what Scuttle was designed to do.”
— Rob Thompson, Founder, Odyssey Innovation
Scuttle the Cuttle is a unique, all-in-one beach cleaning tool shaped like a cuttlefish, combining the function of a scoop, bucket, and sieve. Made entirely from recycled ocean plastic, Scuttle is built to last and designed without small parts that can get lost in the sand. And when its work is done, it can itself be fully recycled.
The children’s excitement went beyond simply collecting plastic — they were fascinated to learn about the impact of microplastics on marine life, how pollution travels across oceans, and how small actions can make a big difference. Several children expressed an interest in starting more clean-up initiatives with friends and family, and learning how to reduce plastic use in their daily lives.
Rob’s background in recycling marine waste and his long-standing relationship with Plymouth University — pioneers in microplastics research — continue to shape Odyssey Innovation’s mission. Supported by the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub and the University of Plymouth STRIDE Programme, the company is scaling up efforts to make Scuttle a symbol of environmental action for children worldwide.
“We often underestimate how much children can understand. But they get it. They know it’s their future. And when they’re given tools and encouragement, they run with it.”
— Rob Thompson
Odyssey Innovation has spent the last decade turning marine waste into meaningful products — from kayaks made from marine plastics to innovative tools for clean-up and education. But the Scuttle journey has shown that sometimes, the most powerful solutions are the ones that empower the youngest voices.
The company is already in talks with other schools and environmental organisations to replicate the success seen with CHS. The goal? A generation of young ocean defenders who believe that saving the seas can be fun, empowering, and full of purpose.
👉 Learn more about Scuttle the Cuttle or get in touch to bring the Little Pickers campaign to your school or community.