Modular Carpet Finds Solution for Discarded Fishing Nets

Net Effect from Interface

A new modular carpet collection, Net Effect, from Interface is inspired by the ocean’s life-giving power and its plight–marine life and habitats that are endangered by discarded fishing nets, acidification, over-fishing, pollution and climate change.

Net Effect debuted at NeoCon 2013 and manufacturing will take place locally in Interface’s North American, European and Asia-Pacific facilities. This uniform global production allows for specification on six continents.

The collection was born of Net-Works, an innovative global business and conservation association between Interface and the conservation charity the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Net-Works was launched in the Danajon Bank area of the Philippines in 2012 to tackle two distinct issues: first, to address the growing environmental problem of discarded fishing nets in some of the world’s poorest coastal communities, and second, to help solve the problem of finding a viable waste stream to feed the company’s ambitious post-consumer nylon recycling goals. Working closely with Aquafil, a key Interface supplier that has refined the technology to recycle nylon waste into new nylon carpet fiber, and NGO Project Seahorse Foundation for Marine Conservation Inc, Net-Works is advancing the company’s goal of closed-loop manufacturing. End of life fishing nets recovered from the fishing industry supply chain represent some of the world’s cleanest and most abundant supply of post consumer nylon, the same raw material as carpet yarn. Developing a local reclamation system for these nets, Net-Works is improving residents’ livelihoods and providing the impetus for new community banking institutions that offer long-term solutions to poverty.

The Net Effect product collection provides a subtle visual reminder of the sea on its surface, with a design reminiscent of swirling currents. Created by David Oakey, owner of David Oakey Designs, an exclusive designer for Interface, the collection of six modular carpet tile options embraces sustainability in construction and concept.

Net Effect’s three 50 cm square tiles, comprising a neutral ground, transition tile and textural accent—evoke the sea with a texture that references the moment when waves wash over land. The three tiles can be combined to create design elements including continuous transitions, borders and inset area rugs.

The square tiles’ organic forms pair beautifully with three 25 cm by 1 m skinny plank styles that capture the fluidity of water and convey the expanding and contracting rhythms of the tides with more linear patterns. The square and plank tiles’ shared coastal color palette of two blues and six neutrals was drawn from the depths of the ocean, and the sun-and-salt-bleached wood and stone found on shore.

Reflecting Interface’s abiding Mission Zero promise to eliminate any negative impact it may have on the environment by 2020, Net Effect contains up to 81 percent recycled content with 100 percent of recycled content yarn. The yarn is made from various sources including used carpet fluff harvested from Interface’s ReEntry program, commercial fishing nets and, shortly, nets from the Net-Works project in the Philippines. Since 1995, ReEntry has processed more than 121,000 metric tonnes (268 million pounds) of used carpet tile and broadloom globally.

As for Net-Works, it provides significant economic benefits to the fishing communities involved, protects marine life and helps clear vulnerable beaches and endangered reefs, thereby providing environmental, economic and social benefits not usually synonymous with carpet tile manufacturing.