Hyundai just proved that one person’s trash can be another person’s totally legit car accessory. The automaker has partnered with Healthy Seas, a nonprofit dedicated to cleaning up marine debris, to recycle abandoned fishing nets called ghost nets into floor mats for their vehicles. Divers recently recovered nets from a 15 year old shipwreck off the coast of Catalina Island, giving that plastic a brand new life.
These ghost nets are a massive problem for ocean ecosystems. They continue to trap and kill marine life for years after being lost or discarded. Since 2013, Healthy Seas has removed over 1,300 tons of them worldwide. Now, through Hyundai’s From Sea to Shore program, that recovered nylon is regenerated into ECONYL yarn and used in models like the IONIQ and SANTA FE. The partnership also includes beach cleanups and educational workshops for kids.
It’s a simple but powerful idea: the materials we throw away can become resources for something better. And it turns out, your car doesn’t have to be a gas guzzler to be eco-friendly. It can also be a silent hero for the ocean. Would you feel better about buying a car knowing its floor mats used to be part of the problem and are now part of the solution?
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.