New York — Interface Inc. announced at the 2014 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual on Sept. 23 its commitment to expanding Net-Works in partnership with Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
Net-Works is a cross-sector collaboration designed to tackle the environmental problem of discarded fishing nets in some of the world’s poorest coastal communities; it supports the company’s goal of sourcing 100% recycled nylon. Today, the program is established in rural coastal areas in the central Philippines.
With the CGI Commitment to Action, the team announced that Net-Works will be expanded with a new net collection hub in the Lake Ossa region of Cameroon and in two additional hubs anticipated over the next three years.
“Inclusive business is about finding ways to have a net positive impact on social and environmental issues while still minding the bottom line,” said Nigel Stansfield, chief innovations officer for Interface. “We are challenging the status quo to reimagine our supply chain in a way that improves our ability to source recycled content, while simultaneously cleaning up oceans and lakes and lifting people from poverty. It’s ambitious, and it’s working.”
Over the last 18 months, Net-Works hubs have collected in excess of 38,600 kg (85,000 lbs.) of discarded fishing nets. It is anticipated that over the next three years, Net-Works will support and strengthen over 500 hectares of community-based Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Net-Works regions, thereby helping to restore the biodiversity of the aquatic ecosystems.
Gathered nets are recycled by Italian yarn manufacturer Aquafil into nylon yarn that Interface uses to produce carpet tile.