Every year, an estimated 8.8 million tons of discarded plastics enter the ocean. It is believed that 10 percent of that plastic is from lost and discarded fishing gear. Discarded fishing nets are the most harmful form of plastic pollution in the ocean, continuing to drift along, ensnaring marine animals and damaging habitats. The founders of Bureo’s® looked at this tragic problem and saw an innovative solution: convert harmful waste into something beneficial. The result is NetPlus®, a material made from recycled fishing nets that can be used as an alternative to virgin plastic to manufacture fabrics and hard goods, including Costa Del Mar’s Untangled™ Collection.
How NetPlus® Is Made
Removing plastic pollution from the ocean would be enough, but it gets better. Bureo® is also invested in bringing positive change to its partner communities, which are located primarily in Chile and Argentina. Fishermen in these regions are incentivized to bring in their old, damaged nets rather than disposing of them in the ocean. They receive fair compensation for their nets, providing a steady source of income and…
