What is NetPlus?
Since the introduction of plastic fishing nets, they have become one of the biggest and most harmful forms of plastic pollution in our oceans. To reduce the presence and impact, Patagonia and Bureo have developed NetPlus®, a traceable 100% recycled plastic material that Patagonia uses for the brim stiffeners in their hats. The plastic is crafted directly from damaged and discarded fishing nets collected in South American fishing communities.
The scheme helps clean up our oceans and benefits poor fishing communities by paying them for something they would have otherwise discarded. So far, the concept has repurposed 71,000 pounds of fishing waste from the ocean while also giving local fishermen in poor communities an additional source of income.