How Net-Works uses carpet tile to tackle inequality
Net-Works empowers coastal communities in the developing world to collect and sell discarded fishing nets, which are recycled into yarn to make carpet tile.
Net-Works is a collaborative project between purpose-driven carpet tile maker Interface, conservation organisation the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), yarn producer Aquafil and microfinance organisation Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation.
Launched in 2012, Net-Works aims to redesign the supply chain to create positive community and ecological benefits.
The result is an innovative and inclusive business model that gives people in coastal communities the opportunity and incentive to collect and trade discarded nylon fishing nets, thereby removing these nets from the ocean where they wreak havoc with marine life.
“Sustainability is about creating a new way of doing business that is more sensitive, more inclusive and ultimately, more successful.” — Rob Coombs, Interface Asia-Pacific
The nets are then sold into a global supply chain and recycled by Aquafil into yarn that Interface can use to make carpet tile. New community-run banks help to manage the supply chain and provide people with convenient and local finance.
This means that the project fulfills a commercial purpose for Interface and Aquafil while generating game-changing social and environmental outcomes.
Net-Works now operates in 26 communities in the Philippines and 9 communities in Cameroon. Since 2012 over 100 metric tons of waste nets have been collected through Net-Works, 900 families have been given access to finance and 60,000 people have benefited from a healthier environment.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2017 print issue of Purpose. For more on creative leadership, problem solving and purposeful business, please visit thehouse.co.uk or get in touch at hello@thehouse.co.uk.
