Waste fishing gear, once a major threat to marine ecosystems, is now being transformed into useful and sustainable products. In Scotland, a Glasgow-based startup called POTR has teamed up with Waterhaul to collect discarded nets and ropes from coastal areas. These materials are repurposed into lightweight, foldable plant pots with built-in self-watering systems. Known as “Ocean Pots,” they include QR codes that let customers trace the origin of the materials to specific beaches. By using this recovered waste, the project not only protects marine habitats but also cuts down transportation emissions by up to 100 times compared to standard planters.
In the fashion industry, similar marine waste is being turned into a material called Econyl—a regenerated nylon made from old fishing nets. This recycled fabric is now widely used to produce sustainable swimwear and activewear. Companies like Wondaswim in Portugal and Kaira Eco Activewear in the United States design stylish, eco-conscious swimsuits using Econyl, while major brands like Volcom have started integrating this material into their swim collections. By recycling ocean plastic waste, these initiatives help reduce environmental damage and lessen dependency on fossil-fuel-based materials. More