Greenbank Recycling, a leader in waste management solutions based in the North East, has partnered with Cornwall-based Waterhaul to supply balers that enhance the efficiency of recycling discarded fishing nets.
Founded in 2018 and publicly launched in 2019, Waterhaul is a social enterprise that aims to combat the pervasive issue of ghost gear – lost, abandoned, or discarded fishing gear that pollutes the oceans.
Nets are the most abundant form of plastic in our oceans and are lethal because of a phenomenon known as ‘ghost fishing’.
Here, marine life that is entangled and trapped in these nets attracts more species, resulting in an ongoing loop of catches. As these discarded nets are produced from plastic, they will not degrade, persisting in the ocean to catch and kill marine life indefinitely.
Recognising the inherent value in these durable, reusable materials, Waterhaul transforms this harmful waste into high-quality products designed for adventure, such as sunglasses. Waterhaul gives these discarded materials value, encouraging their collection and recycling.
The process involves recovering nets from the ocean, sorting them by polymer type, shredding, washing, and extruding them into pellets, which are then injection moulded into final products.
Through online research, Waterhaul discovered Greenbank Recycling Solution’s balers, which have proven instrumental in its recycling process.
By compacting bales of nets, the baler reduces the volume by up to 300% compared with loose bags, significantly improving the efficiency of transporting and storing the materials. This enhancement has allowed Waterhaul to scale its operations more effectively.
Harry Dennis, founder of Waterhaul, praised Greenbank Recycling Solutions’ customer support. He said: “We had an excellent and personal experience with Charles visiting our site, engaging with our unique materials and problems, and helping us develop a solution. As a small business we’re always working within tight budgets but Charles was able to deliver us an affordable solution and we’re thrilled with the results.”
Gerry Carruth, managing director of Greenbank Recycling Solutions, said: “We are dedicated to providing innovative waste management solutions that help businesses become more efficient and environmentally friendly.
“All the companies we work with are making great strides in helping to reduce waste and save our planet, but Waterhaul is at the very top of that game, producing environmentally products using some of the most harmful plastics in our environment, and we are delighted to be supporting them on that journey.”
