NOC and Beyondly launch 5-year partnership to understand impact of ocean plastics

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) are delighted to announce that Beyondly, an environmental consultancy, has committed to supporting a leading citizen science data collection project for the next five years, helping to advance our understanding of global ocean plastic pollution.

While much is known about ocean plastics, key questions remain—such as how they travel through our seas forming microplastic ‘hotspots,’ and how they degrade over time. Understanding these processes requires comprehensive global data.

Beyondly, a B Corp certified environmental compliance scheme and consultancy based in North Yorkshire, has supported NOC’s world-leading research for two years, contributing funding to support their work in gaining a deeper understanding of the ocean. The partnership began as part of Beyondly’s Fund for Change initiative, a commitment to donating 5% of profits to charitable causes. Since 2023, Beyondly has already donated over £50,000 to NOC’s work across blue carbon & ocean plastics.

Now, in 2025, Beyondly and NOC are taking their partnership to the next level, committing to a five-year partnership by enabling a group of ocean lovers – yacht owners – to collect vital water samples across the globe, which will be analysed by NOC’s leading microplastics team. This research will provide a global picture of the impact of plastic on our ocean, contributing to NOC’s Ocean Decade goals, an initiative to support the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal – 14 Life Below Water. 

In 2024, round-the-world sailor and yacht race winner Mike Golding and his family took part in the pilot year of this citizen science project. Engaging families like Mike’s in scientific research helps to grow awareness of the need for ocean science and provides needed data to inform government and industry legislation around plastic production and waste.

Beyondly’s support in extending this project will enable NOC to work with more citizen scientists over the next five years, expanding the availability of ocean plastics data which would take decades to collect through traditional research methods.

Holly Evans, Head of Philanthropy at NOC said, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Beyondly and further our understanding of the impact of plastics on the ocean and the life within it. Despite covering over 70% of our planet, the ocean currently receives only 1% of global philanthropy, and SDG14 ‘Life Below Water’ is the least funded of all SDG goals. 

"The ocean is seriously underrepresented, so it is wonderful to see organisations like Beyondly including ocean health in their ESG goals and demonstrating the impact that philanthropy can have in advancing our understanding of key ocean issues.”

Mel Harper, Brand and Impact Manager at Beyondly said, “We are very excited to share that our partnership with NOC will continue further, supporting the vital work that NOC do on understanding the true impact of plastics on the ocean. Through our Fund for Change Programme, we can support remarkable organisations like NOC. 

"This commitment aligns with Beyondly’s broader company goals and presents opportunities for achieving a more significant and sustained impact within the environmental landscape over a longer period of time. We are looking forward to working with NOC and Seakeepers and are excited to see the progress and impact.”