Off Catalina Island, divers have been pulling up hazardous ghost nets tangled around a sunken fishing vessel. Hyundai and Healthy Seas have partnered to recycle these nets into floor mats for Hyundai cars, turning ocean debris into valuable resources.
- More than 1,300 tons of ghost nets recovered globally since 2013
- Recycled nylon called ECONYL is made from ocean plastics
- Local community activities include beach cleanups and children's workshops
What happened
The fishing vessel Midnight Hour, resting off Catalina Island for 15 years, became entangled in ghost nets—discarded fishing gear that drifts underwater, trapping marine life and debris. Divers from the nonprofit Ghost Diving USA worked to remove these hazardous nets to protect the local ecosystem. This effort is part of the Healthy Seas initiative, which has been recovering similar nets worldwide since 2013.
Hyundai joined forces with Healthy Seas in 2021 to support the recovery and recycling of ocean plastics. The retrieved nets are processed into ECONYL, a regenerated nylon yarn, which Hyundai uses to produce floor mats for select car models. This collaboration brings together environmental cleanup and innovative recycling technologies to reduce ocean pollution and promote sustainability in the auto industry.
Why it feels good
The transformation of harmful ghost nets into useful car floor mats illustrates a powerful cycle of environmental stewardship and creative reuse. Instead of leaving these dangerous nets to endanger marine life or adding to landfill waste, the partnership offers an inspiring example of how discarded materials can be given new life. This approach helps reduce pollution and promotes a circular economy.
Beyond the tangible recycling benefits, the initiative also engages communities by organizing beach cleanups with Hyundai employees and educational workshops for children. These activities foster awareness and inspire the next generation to care for oceans, showing that collective action can protect wildlife and improve the health of coastal environments.
What to enjoy or watch next
To see the cleanup mission firsthand, check out the video footage showing divers at work beneath the waves and the teamwork involved in removing ghost nets near Southern California. This visual experience highlights the scale of the challenge as well as the rewarding progress being made to restore the marine habitat.
For those interested in supporting ocean conservation, participating in local beach cleanups or learning more about preventing marine pollution is a great step. Sharing stories about sustainable innovations like Hyundai’s ECO-floor mats can also spread awareness and motivate more companies and communities to take similar eco-friendly actions.