Fishing nets that become bags and rugs

Fishing nets are one of the most polluting and dangerous types of marine debris, and are often referred to by the technical term "ghost nets" (literally: invisible nets) because they almost always float underwater and are unseen. The extreme danger of this waste stems from the fact that fishing nets are made of synthetic materials such as nylon, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or polypropylene , which do not easily degrade in the sea. They can remain in the water for hundreds of years , slowly fragmenting into deadly microplastics. However, the very resistant characteristics of the base material make fishing nets a waste widely used by small and medium-sized Italian companies to produce T-shirts, swimwear, sportswear, and even bags, backpacks, and accessories. Not to mention furnishings such as lamps and even skateboards.

Carvico's eco-sustainable fabrics

Carvico, an Italian company in the province of Bergamo specializing in the production of technical fabrics, uses discarded fishing nets (along with other waste materials such as carpet fluff and industrial plastic) to produce ECONYL® yarn , a completely regenerated and infinitely recyclable nylon. This yarn creates stretchy, durable fabrics, which are then used to produce:

• Swimwear
• Sportswear and athleisure
• Technical clothing for cycling, running, and triathlon

Aquafil carpets and rugs

The Aquafil group , headquartered in Arco, in the province of Trento, also focuses on recovering discarded fishing nets and producing ECONYL® through regeneration at a plant in Slovenia. The nylon thread obtained from fishing nets is transformed into a veritable catalog of products: from rugs and carpets for the home to T-shirts, socks, underwear, and swimwear.

Risacca bags and backpacks

Three young people from Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, have succeeded in carrying out, under the Risacca brand , a project to transform the remains of fishing nets, which particularly pollute the sea in that area, into bags, backpacks, and various accessories.

Bureo sunglasses

Another eco-friendly initiative that combats marine pollution – discarded fishing nets make up 10% of marine plastic waste, and changing them 15 to 20 times a year unfortunately has a serious environmental impact – is that of the Chilean company Bureo , which transforms them into functional products, such as skateboards and sunglasses.

NETTA designer furnishings

Read also:

• Strong Sea Life: the project that recovers fishing nets and transforms them into bags and bench material.
• On the island of Favignana, two young designers are designing fishing nets made from recycled plastic.
• Ogyre: The platform that pays fishermen to recover plastic from the sea.