Interface, Aquafil and Zoological Society of London collaboration announces expansion

Interface announced today at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) its commitment to expanding its Net-Works™ initiative in partnership with Aquafil and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Net-Works is a unique, cross-sector collaboration designed to tackle the growing environmental issue of discarded fishing nets while providing financial opportunities to local fishing villages in underprivileged regions of the world.

The expansion will add the first new collection hub in the Lake Ossa region of Cameroon. Two additional hubs will be added over the next three years. The announcement reinforces Interface’s commitment to source 100% recycled nylon from Aquafil to produce their world-class carpet tiles.

The program currently exists in rural coastal areas in the central Philippines including the Bantayan Island and Danajon Bank, a rare double reef spanning 97 miles. Over the past 18 months, Net-Works has collected over 85,000 pounds (38,600 kg) of discarded fishing nets from these local Filipino fishing villages to feed the ECONYL® Regeneration System. In turn, Net-works has assisted 4,500 indigenous people to earn supplemental income equivalent to 84,000 additional meals. Over the next three years, the number of locals engaged in the project will reach over 10,000.

The expansion of Net-Works will directly affect the amount of regenerated nylon Aquafil is able to produce. With additional post-consumer waste, more material will feed the regeneration system to increase output. The expansion announcement is another stepping stone toward reaching the Group’s ultimate goal of 100% post-consumer waste.