Ocean Recovery Program

Our Promise: Give Back What We Took From the Sea

Every piece of Build the Blue jewelry begins with one simple question:

What has this ocean given us? And what have we given back to her?

Every year, 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean. Discarded fishing nets drift in the water for centuries, entangling dolphins, sea turtles, and whales, becoming "ghost nets" that continue to kill. Plastic fragments are broken down by waves into tiny particles, entering the bodies of fish, and eventually ending up on our dinner tables.

We can't clear all the plastic from the ocean overnight. But we can do one thing — take the waste that has already been washed ashore, that has been discarded, that is harming the ocean, and turn it into something worth treasuring.

This is where the Ocean Recovery Program begins.

What We Do

Step 1: Recover

We partner with coastal fishing villages to recover discarded fishing nets and ocean plastic debris from fishermen.

These materials would otherwise be burned, buried in landfills, or washed back into the sea. We purchase them from fishermen at above-market rates, giving "waste" new value while providing fishermen with an additional source of income.

Step 2: Sort & Clean

Every batch of recovered materials goes through strict sorting and cleaning once it returns to our studio.

Fishing nets must be sorted by material type (nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene), with metal fasteners, rope connectors, and other impurities removed. Plastic fragments need to be separated by color and type, then cleaned of seawater, sediment, and oil residue.

This process is slow and meticulous, but it's essential. Only clean materials can become jewelry worth wearing.

Step 3: Transform

The cleaned fishing nets and plastics move into the regeneration process.

Discarded fishing nets are shredded, melted, and reshaped into a smooth, tactile material for our jewelry. Ocean plastic fragments are ground down, pressed, and transformed — each piece revealing its own unique texture.

These textures are not flaws — they are the unique signature of the ocean being saved. No two pieces are exactly alike, just as no two waves are the same.

Step 4: Handcraft

All regenerated materials are ultimately placed in the hands of our artisans.

Each piece goes through at least 5 handcrafted steps: grinding, assembly, soldering, polishing, and quality inspection. Because we believe:

If you're making something meaningful, the people who make it deserve dignity.

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What You Can Do

1. Purchase from the Ocean Recovery Collection

Every purchase helps remove one more fishing net from the ocean. Each piece comes with a Material Traceability Card showing exactly how much plastic was removed.

2. Join a Beach Cleanup

We organize beach cleanup events quarterly. Participants can exchange the plastic they collect for jewelry discounts. Follow us on social media for event announcements.

3. Recycle Discarded Fishing Nets

If you live in a coastal area or know someone with discarded fishing nets, please reach out to us. We offer paid recycling — turning waste into treasure.

4. Share This Story

Let more people know that there is another choice — one that can help make the ocean bluer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can discarded fishing nets really become jewelry?
A: Yes. Discarded fishing nets are primarily made of nylon. Through our regeneration process, they become a safe, smooth, and tactile material suitable for jewelry. All our products pass safety testing.

Q: Does the recycling process create pollution?
A: We strictly control energy consumption and emissions during the regeneration process to minimize environmental impact. We also prioritize local processing to reduce our carbon footprint from transportation.

Q: Is the information on the Material Traceability Card accurate?
A: Yes. From the moment we recover materials, every batch is recorded. You can use the batch number on your card to look up complete traceability information on our website.

Q: Can I send back old jewelry for recycling?
A: Yes. We are launching a "Jewelry Take-Back" program soon. You'll be able to return Build the Blue pieces you no longer wear for recycling, and receive a discount voucher for your next purchase. More details coming soon.

Join the Ocean Recovery Program

The Ocean Recovery Program isn't just Build the Blue's mission — it belongs to everyone who cares about this ocean.

You can become part of it by:

• Purchasing from the Ocean Recovery Collection — Every piece helps reduce ocean plastic
• Becoming a Blue Builder — Monthly donations supporting our recovery and rescue efforts
• Joining a cleanup — Help us remove waste from beaches, hands-on
• Sharing your story — Post a photo wearing your piece with #BuildTheBlue and inspire others

Build the Blue

Give back what we took from the sea.