Love Blue Inc. Contributes to Netflix's "Coco" Octopus Sculpture in Celebration of Our Oceans Documentary

In an inspiring collaboration that brought art, environmental advocacy, and storytelling together, Love Blue Inc.'s Wildwood Crest Chapter played a pivotal role in the creation of "Coco," an upcycled octopus sculpture commissioned by Netflix. The sculpture was crafted to celebrate the release of Our Oceans, a new nature documentary narrated by Barack Obama. This remarkable project demonstrates how grassroots action can ripple into global environmental conversations.

From Beach Cleanups to a Global Spotlight

Throughout the summer, Love Blue Inc.'s Wildwood Crest Chapter hosted numerous beach cleanups, collecting an impressive volume of plastic litter and debris from the shoreline. Rather than simply disposing of the collected waste, the chapter preserved it, sending the debris to TerraCycle, a global leader in upcycling and recycling. This collaboration culminated in "Coco," an octopus sculpture composed of over 2,000 pieces of beach and ocean plastic waste. The sculpture’s vibrant and textured design not only captures the beauty of marine life but also serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address plastic pollution.

A Shared Mission

“Coco” was a product of teamwork among TerraCycle Foundation, Clean Ocean Action, A Greener Future, 5 Minute Foundation, and Love Blue Inc., with the collected plastic serving as the raw material for the sculpture. The town of Wildwood Crest, NJ, provided the perfect backdrop for the project’s unveiling, showcasing a community deeply committed to environmental stewardship. For Love Blue Inc., this collaboration was a full-circle moment. Founder and CEO AJ Caruso credits Netflix’s previous nature documentary series, Our Planet, as the spark that ignited his passion for ocean conservation. Watching that series inspired AJ and his friends to start Love Blue Inc., an organization now making waves across the country. “Seeing our efforts come full circle, contributing to a project that originated with the same platform that inspired Love Blue, is a dream come true,” said Caruso.

Art for Awareness

“Coco” stands as a symbol of hope and innovation in tackling marine pollution. It highlights the power of partnerships between local organizations, creative industries, and global platforms like Netflix. By using discarded materials to create something beautiful and thought-provoking, the sculpture invites audiences to consider their role in protecting marine ecosystems.

A Lasting Legacy

This project underscores Love Blue Inc.'s mission of turning small actions—like community beach cleanups—into meaningful change. With contributions from partners like TerraCycle and the support of organizations dedicated to protecting our oceans, the movement continues to grow. The journey of “Coco” is not just a testament to what’s possible when organizations come together for a shared cause, but also a reminder of the powerful stories behind every piece of litter collected.

Thank You to the Advocates

Love Blue Inc. extends its gratitude to TerraCycle Foundation, Clean Ocean Action, A Greener Future, 5 Minute Foundation, and the Wildwood Crest community for their unwavering support. Together, their efforts demonstrate the transformative potential of environmental stewardship and community collaboration.

A Message to All

As Our Oceans reach audiences worldwide, may “Coco” inspire individuals to take action—whether through reducing plastic use, participating in cleanups, or supporting organizations like Love Blue Inc. Together, we can create a healthier, more sustainable future for our oceans and the life they sustain.

Love Blue Flagler Chapter Approved on Campus, Ready to Make Waves for Ocean Conservation!

Flagler College, located in the vibrant coastal city of St. Augustine, has long been intertwined with the ocean and environmental preservation. This fall, a new organization on campus is set to deepen that commitment: Love Blue Inc., an ocean advocacy nonprofit, has officially launched its Flagler College chapter! This club offers students an incredible opportunity to lead and take action in protecting our local coastlines and marine ecosystems.

The Flagler chapter of Love Blue will focus on mobilizing students and community members to participate in meaningful conservation efforts. Through regular river and beach cleanups, members will help preserve the beauty and biodiversity of Vilano Beach, St. Augustine Beach, and the surrounding areas. These efforts will contribute to a cleaner environment and inspire a culture of environmental stewardship in the heart of a city that values its coastal identity.

The chapter is spearheaded by Sammy Andres, who met Love Blue CEO AJ Caruso while working with the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol. Sammy’s passion for ocean conservation, combined with Love Blue’s vision, has led to the formation of a dedicated team ready to make an impact. Together, they’ll organize events, workshops, and outreach campaigns aimed at reducing pollution, educating the community, and protecting marine habitats along Florida’s northeastern coast.

For those interested in joining, Love Blue Flagler will hold an interest meeting right after Thanksgiving break. At this event, you can meet the team, learn about upcoming projects, and discover ways to get involved in keeping our oceans clean. To stay updated, search for Love Blue on Flagler College’s CampusGroups or use the QR code in the Instagram bio at @loveblueflagler. You can also fill out an interest form linked in the Instagram bio to receive updates.

By joining Love Blue Flagler, Flagler College students have the chance to connect with like-minded peers, gain hands-on experience in conservation, and make a tangible difference in their community. Together, they’ll create a cleaner, healthier ocean for future generations—one cleanup at a time.

Love Blue Inc.’s Chicago Chapter Brings Community Together for November Beach Cleanups

The first week of November marked an incredible chapter for Love Blue Inc.’s Chicago Chapter, with three successful beach cleanups that engaged volunteers, students, and even some furry friends. From Montrose Dog Beach to Foster Beach, Love Blue worked with local partners to make a tangible difference in the city’s beach environment, with each event adding its own special flair to the mission.

Saturday, November 2nd: Montrose Dog Beach Collaboration

Love Blue kicked off the week with a cleanup at Montrose Dog Beach, where they saw their largest volunteer turnout to date. Volunteers collected 54 pounds of trash, making the beach cleaner and safer for Chicago’s four-legged residents to enjoy. In the spirit of fun and community, the event featured a doggy costume contest, where a local pup named Sir Remington took home the prize. Volunteers and visitors were thrilled to see this playful addition to the cleanup, and the beach received a much-needed refresh. Thanks to a $25 gift card donation from Pet Supplies Plus, volunteers were further encouraged to keep the dog beach a safe, welcoming space.

Wednesday, November 6th: Kellogg Cares Day with Northwestern University Students

On Wednesday, Love Blue partnered with students from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management for Kellogg Cares Day, an annual event where all students volunteer with a local organization. Love Blue Inc. was fortunate to be chosen as a partner, and the students’ enthusiasm shone through as they tackled a significant cleanup. Together, they collected ninety pounds of trash, setting a record for Love Blue Chicago’s largest single cleanup haul yet. This massive effort not only enhanced the beach’s cleanliness but also allowed students to connect with Love Blue’s mission and make a positive impact on the environment.

Friday, November 8th: Foster Beach Cleanup with St. Hilary School 8th Graders

Love Blue wrapped up the week with a special cleanup at Foster Beach, bringing in a group of 8th-grade students from St. Hilary School. As part of their community service hours, these young volunteers gathered thirty-four pounds of litter. Under Love Blue’s guidance, they also learned to separate recyclables from non-recyclables, developing hands-on skills in sustainability practices. The cleanup provided the students with a firsthand understanding of environmental stewardship and the importance of giving back to their city.

A Week of Impact and Community

With nearly 180 pounds of trash removed in just one week, Love Blue’s Chicago Chapter made a profound difference to the city’s lakefront, engaging the community and raising awareness around protecting these cherished spaces. From college students to grade-schoolers and dog lovers alike, the events showcased the unifying power of a shared commitment to environmental health. Looking ahead, Love Blue Inc. is excited to continue building partnerships and bringing Chicago residents together for the ongoing mission of protecting the planet.