TOKYO (ANN/JAPAN NEWS) – Recycling discarded fishing nets into daily essentials and products has emerged as a creative solution to the worsening problem of marine plastic pollution, with businesses focusing on improving the appeal and functionality of these products to drive sales and sustainability.
“Fishing nets are crafted from various materials depending on their intended use and fishing techniques. They can be transformed into fabrics with diverse textures by altering the weaving methods or combining them with other materials,” said Koichi Nomura, representative director of Alliance for the Blue, a Tokyo-based association that promotes the use of fabrics made from recycled fishing nets.
The association collaborates with around 80 companies, including apparel brands, to produce items like bags and hats from fishing nets collected in locations such as Hokkaido. These products bear a unified logo, with a portion of sales allocated to regenerating seagrass beds.
Since its inception in 2020, Alliance for the Blue has witnessed a growing shift in corporate attitudes. “Initially, companies were hesitant about using recycled fishing nets, but heightened societal awareness of environmental issues has led to a surge in interest. The more products we sell, the more discarded nets we can reduce,” said Nomura.
Innovative products drive change
Moved, a Tokyo-based travel goods company, is among those collaborating with Alliance for the Blue. In July, it launched vacuum storage travel bags (from JPY3,180) and suitcase covers (from JPY7,990), featuring light blue hues reminiscent of the ocean.
Fumikoda, a Tokyo firm specialising in bags for working women, unveiled the JPY44,000 “Megan” handbag in July. Made from recycled fishing nets and complemented by handles crafted from bamboo-based artificial leather, the bag has proven so popular that demand has outpaced production.
“Customers value appearance and functionality, but many also connect with the meaningful story behind the bag—how and why it was created,” said Fumi Koda, the company’s president.
Marine product company Tenyomaru in Nagasaki Prefecture has developed a scourer called “Ami Eco Tawashi,” using fishing nets discarded during the catch of Japanese anchovies. The product has gained significant popularity for its effectiveness, with users praising its ability to produce ample foam and its quick-drying properties. The company anticipates selling nearly 20,000 units this year.
Japanese fashion brand Anrealage showcased clothing made with threads derived from discarded fishing nets during the Spring/Summer 2025 Paris Fashion Week. These threads, called Muron, were developed by Tokyo-based Morito Apparel Co. and are made exclusively from nets collected in Japan.
Environmental impact and challenges
According to Japan’s Environment Ministry, approximately 54,000 tons of marine trash were collected from Japanese coasts in fiscal 2022, with plastic waste—including fishing nets and related tools—accounting for more than 40 per cent of the total. The disposal of fishing nets remains challenging due to their weight, bulk, and salt content, making them unsuitable for incineration. Once in the ocean, they harm marine life and may degrade into microplastics that can enter the human food chain.
Fostering connection with the ocean
“It’s crucial to create daily products that foster a connection to the ocean, encouraging everyone to view marine waste as a shared responsibility,” said Mitsuyuki Unno, executive director of the Nippon Foundation.
