NetWorks by Interface, a carpet company founded by Ray Anderson, is a new initiative that aims to reduce the amount of fishing gear waste, namely nets, found in oceans around the world. As the world’s largest designer and maker of carpet tile, not to mention a company with a cause, NetWorks by Interface will provide people with a daily need while cleaning up the environment in the process.
Collaborating with the Zoological Society of London, NetWorks by Interface recently launched its pilot program in Philippines’ Danajon Bank, a threatened coral reef. So far it has collected one ton of disposed nets and involved more than a thousand people in 15 local villages. By April, organizers hope to collect 20 tons of nets as well as establish a self-financing model to pay villages for net collection.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Ocean Waste Reduction
- Companies can implement initiatives to reduce waste found in the ocean and make use of it to create new products.
- Sustainable Textiles
- Creating textiles previously considered waste products can be a sustainable way to create new products.
- Community Engagement Programs
- Companies can engage with local communities to both collect waste and provide education on environmental issues.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Carpet Manufacturing
- Carpet manufacturers can use recycled and repurposed materials to reduce waste and create sustainable products.
- Fishing Industry
- The fishing industry can reduce its impact on the ocean by finding new uses for disposed nets and fishing gear.
- Environmental Conservation
- Environmental organizations can partner with companies and communities to create initiatives that clean up waste and protect sensitive ecosystems like coral reefs.
