We love this: Global carpet tile manufacturer Interface has partnered with conservation charity the Zoological Society of London in a new commercial venture called Net-Works, which collects discarded fishing nets from impoverished coastal communities and uses them to make yarn! The program not only helps maintain a clean and healthy environment, it also gives these poor communities a way to make money.  Read more!

A view of a coastal area before Net-Works

Discarded nets are a common sight among local fishing communities. According to ZSL, the amount of fishing nets discarded in the Phillippines’ Danajon Bank every year is enough to wrap around the world almost one and a half times. And the nets can pollute beaches for decades, even centuries.

Net-Works utilizes the nylon from the nets it gathers in the production of new carpet tiles. The pilot program ran from June through October 2012 in four communities, collecting more than 1 metric ton of discarded fishing nets within its first month! Now, Net-Works has begun to establish collection systems in up to 15 additional impoverished communities. With over 280 households accounted for, the program aims to collect over 20 metric tons of discarded nets by the end of April 2013.

by Architizer Editors

posted in Product Uncategorized

tagged carpet tiles, fishing, fishing nets, Interface, nylon, sustainability, Zoological Society of London, ZSL

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