One Blue Eye case study

Support from the University of Plymouth's STRIDE project

One Blue Eye began with a surfer, a high street workshop in Helston, and a determination to keep plastic waste out of the sea. Founder Matt Nott’s life revolves around the ocean, and his mission is simple: collect unwanted plastic, break it down, and give it a new life as something beautiful that’s built to last.
Matt works with local beach-clean groups, environmental organisations, and businesses across West Cornwall to gather everything from bottle tops to Quality Street tubs. Buckets outside his shop invite the community to drop off plastic for recycling, creating a steady supply of raw material. Using knowledge from the global Precious Plastic movement, he and his volunteers shred, melt, and mould the waste into new products.

Balancing ideas with income

Matt is an ideas man who is never short of concepts for what his next product could be. STRIDE’s role has been to help channel that creativity into a workable plan, balancing the immediate need to earn income with long-term product development. This has meant working on quick-turnaround products like recycled medals while progressing slower, higher-value ideas such as recycled surf fins.
Medal Designs by STRIDE
CAD Design by STRIDE

From surf culture to sports events

One Blue Eye’s roots are in surf culture, and a range of recycled surf products has already been developed. Surf fins designed for beginner and intermediate boards are in the R&D stage, with scanning and prototyping supported by Plymouth Science Park. But fins require extensive testing and refinement, so attention turned to products that could generate revenue in the meantime.
Test marketing to UTMB World Series event The Arc of Attrition revealed strong demand for sustainable trophies and medals, especially from surf life-saving clubs and sports events. STRIDE supported design development, with STRIDE creating bespoke medal designs and Plymouth Science Park producing unique marbled samples from recycled plastic. Early sales have been strong, and the model is scalable: one event can require thousands of medals, all carrying a powerful story of waste transformed into achievement.
One Blue Eye Red Medal
surf shaped medal stand

Wholesale and retail opportunities

Alongside the event market, STRIDE suggested a wholesale strategy for surf products. A branded display stand, designed by STRIDE and produced at the University of Plymouth’s Design and Fabrication Lab, was created to give stores a way to showcase One Blue Eye products as a cohesive range.

Innovation and IP

Some of Matt’s ideas needed protection before going to market. One Blue Eye’s multi-use wallet has been taken through patent and IP support. It’s designed to be co-branded and sold through retailers, with production staying in Helston. This product combines Matt’s environmental mission with surf utility, giving brands an opportunity to stock something that’s both functional and sustainable.

Designing for the market

Part of the process has been refining the look and feel of products. STRIDE has worked with Matt to consider colour trends, mix recipes, and customer preferences and has moved from darker, uniform tones to more varied and on-trend marbled designs that appeal to a wider market.

Networking and exposure

Events like Boardmasters, Rising Tides, and the upcoming UK Surf and Skate Expo have helped Matt grow his network, showcase his products, and spark conversations with potential customers. Connections with groups like Surfers Against Sewage, along with collaborations with local craftspeople such as Stratum Marquetry, have expanded both his supply chain and creative possibilities.

The biggest win so far

The medal range has been the standout success. It offers volume orders, a strong profit margin, and a clear environmental message – clubs collecting beach plastic can see it transformed into medals for their next event. It’s a story that sells itself.
From community collections in Helston to national sports bodies, One Blue Eye is proving that sustainable products can be commercially viable, creatively designed, and rooted in a deep respect for the sea.
One Blue Eye Founder, Matt Notte

STRIDE has been a game-changer for myself and One Blue Eye. Their support has helped me take raw ideas and shape them into products and strategies that really work. From guiding me on balancing quick wins with long-term innovation to opening doors through design, prototyping, and networking, STRIDE, and in particular Verity, has been there at every step of the way.

Matt Notte, One Blue Eye