Waterhaul combines passion, purpose, and ingenuity to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time. But how do they turn ghost nets into symbols of sustainability? The process is as innovative as it is impactful. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, Waterhaul sources and collects ghost nets from coastal regions, preventing further harm to marine life and ecosystems.

"When we receive nets, step 1 is booking everything into our system - logging the weight and source so we know exactly where our materials have come from. The next step is sorting by different polymers so we can achieve a pure material suitable for precision moulded products. We then clean the ropes/nets to remove contaminants before they are shredded, cleaned again and turned into pellets ready to make new products. We can do this in-house at our facility in Cornwall, or for larger batches, we work with a shredding partner". The pellets can be transformed into a range of high-quality, durable products, from beach clean kits to stylish accessories.

Fishing nets durable enough to last 500 years in ocean make for super-strong frames, making sun, prescription, and blue light glasses the focus of their product lines. Recycled ocean-plastic litter pickers, knives, and bag hoops, alongside litter bags made from repurposed sails, are designed to demonstrate circular economy solutions and to inspire and enable people to take positive action. Waterhaul believe the tools we use for tackling plastic pollution shouldn’t be adding to the problem we are collectively fighting. 

But it's not always a smooth process! "Some of our biggest challenges are separating the polymers as nets can frequently be repaired with different polymers, removing contaminants or other equipment such as lead weights, floats, sand or organic matter. We have overcome this by refining our process to identify contaminants and employing power tools where necessary!"

Beyond the tangible products, Waterhaul's impact echos far and wide, reaching coastal communities and marine ecosystems around the globe. Through education, outreach, and advocacy efforts, Waterhaul raises awareness about ghost net pollution and the urgent need for sustainable solutions.

PlaNET action is Waterhaul's unique and innovative outreach program tackling ocean plastic. Through hands-on workshops, they educate communities about the issue while empowering them with solutions. "Our specialist equipment allows participants to transform beach-clean plastic into new products, fostering environmental action and hope for positive change. Tailored to fit school curriculums whilst at the same time being perfect for corporate events, our sessions deepen knowledge of marine ecosystems and plastic's properties". 

We've joined Waterhaul as a Clean Up Partner, empowering individuals and our community to take action. We're proud to use their beach cleaning gear on our monthly beach cleans in North East Scotland.

Find out more and shop with Waterhaul here. To book a workshop through PlaNET Action contact amy@waterhaul.co and join the fight against ocean plastic!

Join us every Saturday at 10am at the Fittie end of Aberdeen beach for invigorating dips in the sea. The refreshing waters will not only revitalize your body but also uplift your spirits, offering a perfect blend of mental clarity and physical well-being.

For updates on volunteering at beach cleans, joining adventure days, and other upcoming events please see our social media pages.