A collection of carpet tiles made from discarded fishing nets, sourced from some of the world’s poorest fishing communities, has taken out the 2014 Good Design Award for Sustainability.
The Award was announced at the 2014 Good Design Awards held in Sydney on 28 May at White Bay Cruise Terminal, in association with Vivid Sydney 2014. The Good Design Awards is Australia’s longest running design recognition program, presented by Good Design Australia.
Net Effect, made by carpet tile manufacturer Interface, is a modular carpet collection. Judges in the Good Design Awards were impressed by the collection’s innovative manufacturing process and installation, its beauty and simplicity, as well as its environmental and social responsibility practices.
A benchmark
“This project sets a global benchmark in environmentally sustainable, economic and social design practice,” commented the judges. “The designers have connected recycling to commercial outcomes and the ‘net effect’ is a better, more beautiful and sustainable world – just brilliant.” Addressing the growing environmental problem of discarded fishing nets, Interface, in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London, Aquafil (global supplier of synthetic fibres) and the Project Seahorse Foundation for Marine Conservation, developed a community-based supply chain for collecting the fishing nets.
Known as Net-Works, the program provides poor fishing communities with an income-driven incentive to keep nets out of the water and protect their local marine life. Communities are encouraged to get the best possible price for the nets and to clean up their coastal areas and waterways. An associated community banking system has also been established to empower village members to set up microinsurance, savings and loans to protect the income they earn. The Net-Works pilot program was launched in June 2012 in the Philippines. There are now some 26 participating villages.
Designed with flexibility and durability also in mind, the carpet tiles feature non-directional installation making selective replacement easy. In addition, Net Effect carpet tiles are performance driven and are robust enough for even the most heavily trafficked interiors.
More information: www.interfaceflor.com.au
