The Net Regeneration Scheme is Odyssey Innovation's flagship marine litter solution — a free, fully traceable, multi-award winning programme that has been transforming how the UK fishing industry handles its plastic waste since 2017.
How It Works
Partner harbours, fisherfolk, and netmakers can drop off end-of-life fishing gear — nets, ropes, buoys, whelk pots, rigid plastics — at designated collection points, completely free of charge. Odyssey Innovation handles collection, sorting, and recycling, ensuring that everything recoverable is processed locally in the UK, with specialist European recyclers handling more complex materials.
The scheme also supports beach clean volunteers and conservation NGOs by providing a sustainable recycling stream for any marine plastic they recover — closing the loop between collection and reuse.
The Impact So Far
Since launching in 2017, the Net Regeneration Scheme has:
- Operated across 21 harbours along the South Coast of England, with expansion into Wales
- Diverted over 200,000kg of plastic waste from landfill, incineration, and the ocean
- Supported more than 60 stakeholders — companies, harbours, fisherfolk, and charities
- Received endorsement from the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) — only the third project globally to do so
- Directly supported 8 UN Sustainable Development Goals
From Waste to Product
Odyssey Innovation is renowned for creating the world's first kayak made from 100% recycled marine plastic — and the Net Regeneration Scheme is what makes it possible. Recovered plastic is processed through our Muncher Cruncher at Exeter City Council's MRF into granulate, which is then used to manufacture products including our recycled marine plastic handplane and the Hönö bodyboard. Multiple other products are in the manufacturing pipeline.
Watch the Scheme in Action
👉 Want to join the scheme? Find your nearest collection point or get in touch to bring the Net Regeneration Scheme to your harbour. Learn more here.