How Discarded Fishing Nets to Hat Brim

Turning Trash into Treasure: How Discarded Fishing Nets are Being Repurposed into Sustainable Hat Brims.

In the documentary "The Ocean," there is a scene where piles of abandoned fishing nets are left on the beach or sink to the bottom of the ocean through the action of ocean currents. Various marine creatures become trapped in the densely woven nets, and as they struggle, the nets become tighter and tighter, eventually suffocating them to death.

According to a UNEP report, there are currently approximately 75 to 199 million tonnes of plastic waste in the ocean, accounting for 85% of the total weight of marine litter. If effective measures are not taken, it is expected that the amount of plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems will nearly double by 2040, reaching 23 to 37 million tonnes per year.

The fishing nets we recycle come from two sources: ghost nets retrieved from the ocean by volunteer divers and discarded fishing nets from the fishing and aquaculture industries.

The first step in creating sustainable hat brims from discarded fishing nets is to collect the nets from the ocean. According to the World Wildlife Fund, "Ghost nets" account for 10% of plastic waste in the ocean, and around 140,000 sea turtles, dolphins, and whales are entangled in these nets every year globally. The likelihood of being killed by "ghost nets" is four times higher than that of other marine debris combined. By collecting these nets, we're not only preventing them from harming marine life, but we're also reducing the amount of plastic waste in the ocean.

The second way is collectting discarded fishing nets from the fishing and aquaculture industries.

Once the abandoned nets have been collected, they're cleaned,extracted and processed into a material known as "nylon 6"pellets using physical methods at factory. This material is durable, lightweight, and perfect for making hat brims. Nylon 6 is also recyclable, so if the hat ever needs to be replaced, it can be recycled and repurposed again.

Recycled nylon made from recovered fishing nets has a carbon reduction effect. It is reported that virgin nylon is produced by chemically extracting and polymerizing from petroleum, resulting in a large amount of carbon emissions during polymer processing. Producing one ton of recycled nylon can reduce 95% of carbon emissions and save 52% of water consumption.

According to a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, if current trends continue, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. By repurposing fishing nets and other plastics, we're working towards a more sustainable future.

What's more, sourcing retired nets from fishing communities can create additional job opportunities for fishermen by providing them with a new stream of income. Instead of disposing of their old nets, they can sell them to our organizations that recycle or repurpose them. This not only generates additional revenue for the fishermen but also helps to reduce waste in the ocean. Additionally, the process of collecting retired nets can create new employment opportunities for individuals who are involved in the collection, transportation, and processing of the nets. This can ultimately lead to an increase in the economic well-being of fishing communities.

In conclusion, repurposing discarded fishing nets into sustainable hat brims is a great example of how we are finding ways to repurpose waste and reduce their impact on the environment. By using these hats, we're not only protecting our skin from the sun, but we're also doing our part to protect the ocean and the planet. So, the next time you're in the market for a new hat, consider choosing a sustainable option made from discarded fishing nets. Together, we can make a difference.