When it comes to tackling plastic pollution at its source, Bureo stands out. With an ocean-loving name rooted in the Mapuche word for “waves,” this innovative brand transforms discarded fishing nets into high-performing, sustainable products—demonstrating how creativity and community-driven solutions can shift the tide.
In this piece, we’ll trace Bureo’s founding story, the rise of their NetPlus® material, their products, collaborations, measurable impact, ongoing challenges, future direction, and what their journey signals for sustainable innovation in waste reduction.
The Story Behind Bureo
Founded in 2013 by Ben Kneppers, Kevin Ahearn, and David Stover, Bureo was born from a deep respect for the ocean and a desire to address one of its pressing threats: fishing net pollution. Drawing from local coastal traditions and their surfing roots, the team launched the first Net Positiva collection hub in Chile. Their inaugural product—the Minnow skateboard made from recycled nets—set the tone for a brand that merges performance with purpose.
NetPlus® Material – How It Works and Why It Matters
Bureo’s proprietary NetPlus® material is made from 100% post-consumer recycled fishing nets—a hard-to-recycle form of ocean plastic. Through an incentivized program, Bureo partners with fishing communities across eight countries, including Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, the U.S., Seychelles, and Japan, enabling responsible disposal of nets and generating livelihood opportunities.
Their closed-loop recycling process includes cleaning, shredding, depolymerizing, pelletizing, and extruding into high-quality yarns and durable materials. In 2024 alone, Bureo recycled 673 tonnes of fishing nets into NetPlus® nylon and 36.2 tonnes into HDPE brims, resulting in 5.1 million NetPlus® products and 1.6 million NetPlus® hat brims shipped.
Brand Progress Check
- Global Reach & Traceability: Bureo operates collection programs across eight countries and has scaled from three founders to more than 70 salaried employees managing NetPositiva hubs.
- Quantitative Impact: In 2024, 673 tonnes of nylon and 36.2 tonnes of HDPE were transformed into NetPlus® products, with over 5 million items entering the market.
- Certifications & Standards: Bureo is pursuing Living Product Challenge certification—an ambitious standard requiring net-positive environmental and social impact.
- No Backtracking Detected: There’s no indication that Bureo has scaled back on its commitments or reversed any sustainability measures.
This ongoing expansion, combined with transparency in sourcing, output metrics, and certification pursuits, positions Bureo as a consistently innovative and accountable brand.
Product Range & Collaborations
NetPlus® has become a versatile, circular material:
- Hard Goods: Skateboards (like the Minnow), surf fins, frisbees, and even Jenga-style games.
- Eyewear & Accessories: Partnering with brands like Patagonia and Costa Del Mar, Bureo has helped produce biodegradable sunglasses frames and accessories as part of Costa’s Untangled™ Collection.
Impact on Sustainability & Communities
By recycling harmful ocean plastic and empowering coastal communities with income and infrastructure, Bureo’s NetPositiva model supports both ecosystems and people. Their impact is also environmental—NetPlus® significantly reduces carbon emissions, energy use, and water demand compared to virgin nylon (according to partner data like Big Agnes). Their initiative also aligns with broader waste prevention and circular economy goals, inspiring brands and industries to rethink material sourcing.
Challenges & Future Outlook
Scaling collection logistics across diverse geographies remains a complex hurdle.
Bureo’s pursuit of Living Product Challenge certification shows their ambition to meet regenerative design standards. If achieved, their material would stand among the most progressive in sustainability.
Final Thoughts
Bureo turns one of the ocean’s most damaging waste materials—fishing nets—into high-performance, circular goods. Their combination of product innovation, measurable recycling impact, community engagement, and forward-looking certifications is a model of sustainability driven by integrity.
For brands and consumers alike, Bureo exemplifies how untapped waste can become powerful raw material—and how conservation can flourish through economic creativity.
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