Discarded fishing nets on beaches or in the sea can remain intact for centuries, harming the environment and marine life. The nylon from these nets is often the same as is used to make carpet yarn.
Together they have set up Net-Works, a community-based supply chain for nets, which is improving the livelihood of some of the world's poorest coastal communities, while providing a source of recycled materials for carpet tiles.
The project was piloted on Danajon Bank in the Philippines, where the problem is acute. Working with local NGO Project Seahorse Foundation for Marine Conservation, the project involves local people in collecting, aggregating, washing and assuring the nets. These are then brought to a central location for packing and shipping to Interface's supplier.
Initially, just five communities were involved, but collection systems are now being set up in 15 villages, involving more than 280 impoverished households. The aim is to make the model self-financing, with as much of the proceeds as possible being returned to villages.
The goal was to collect 20 tonnes of nets by the end of April 2013. Given that two kilos of nets buys one kilo of rice, Net-Works promises to make a real difference to local people.
Interface will use the nets in its supply chain during 2013 and develop its first products with them. The company and ZSL will also explore where the Net-Works concept can be applied in other parts of the world. A toolkit is being developed to help other groups establish similar supply hubs.
Net-Works is the latest element of Interface's sustainability plan, Mission Zero, to eliminate its environmental impact by 2020. The plan has seen the company source 44% of its raw materials through recycling or bio-based supply.
Lynn Beavis is part of the wordworks network
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