Recycling ocean waste: Balers compact discarded gillnets for easier recycling and reduced marine pollution
Discarded gillnets are a serious threat to ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef, entangling marine life, damaging coral, and breaking down into harmful microplastics.
Mil-tek, together with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and the Endeavour Foundation, is actively collecting and recycling these nets. Using Mil-tek balers, they are compacted for efficient handling and transport, making large-scale recycling practical and effective.
The nets are continuously being transformed into new products such as rope rubs and nylon carpets – closing the loop and giving marine waste a sustainable second life.
The hidden threat of discarded fishing nets
Discarded fishing gear such as gillnets represents one of the most damaging forms of marine waste.
Left in the ocean, these nets entangle wildlife, damage coral, and break down into harmful microplastics.
On land, their disposal in landfill creates new risks, from leaching chemicals to adding to the global microplastic problem.
Driving real change through recycling project
In partnership with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and the Endeavour Foundation, Mil-tek launched the Commercial Gillnet Fishing Collection and Recycle Project.
Together, our team:
- Established more than 13 collection points across Queensland for easy net surrender.
- Used spectrometer technology to assess and sort net material for recycling.
- Processed nets in regional hubs, deconstructing and converting them into new products such as rope rubs and nylon carpets.
- Created inclusive employment for more than 150 Queenslanders, including people living with disabilities.
Balers were adapted to compact gillnets efficiently
A key element of the project was the creative use of our Mil-tek balers.
Traditionally associated with cardboard and plastic, balers were adapted to compact the gillnets. This made collection, handling, and transport far easier while ensuring the nets could be recycled on a large scale.
Meaningful outcomes across key areas:
Protecting ecosystems
Hazardous marine waste was intercepted before it could harm ecosystems, diverting gillnets away from both oceans and landfills. This helped safeguard sensitive habitats, including the Great Barrier Reef.
Advancing the circular economy
Discarded gillnets were repurposed into durable, high-value products such as rope rubs and nylon carpets – demonstrating how waste can be transformed into resources and material loops can be closed.
Empowering communities
More than 150 people accessed new employment opportunities, bolstering regional economies while fostering inclusive participation in the recycling initiative.
Award-winning environmental innovation
On 5 September 2025, at the WRIQ Industry Awards Gala Dinner in Brisbane, our project was honored with the Environmental Innovation of the Year Award.
We are tremendously proud of this achievement!
Beyond cardboard and plastic… Redefining what recycling can be
The Commercial Gillnet Fishing Collection and Recycle Project shows what is possible when technology, collaboration, and creativity come together.
By applying Mil-tek balers in a new way, the team proved that recycling doesn’t have to be limited to common materials.
Looking for a smarter approach to recycling? Check out our baler range!
