Glasgow start-up transforms discarded fishing gear into household item

A Glasgow business has created the world’s first plant pot made from traceable marine plastic waste.

POTR developed the ‘Ocean Pot’ in 2019 using discarded fishing gear recovered from UK coastlines.

It comes amid concerns over marine pollution, with Scotland generating significantly more plastic waste from the fishing and aquaculture industry than England.

The Ocean Pot’s origami-inspired design ensures it can be shipped flat-packed, reducing transport emissions by up to 100 times compared to traditional ceramic or plastic pots.

Once unfolded, a self-watering system using a cotton cord helps plants control hydration with minimal waste.

Each created pot has a QR code linking it to the specific beaches and harbours where the material was found.

POTR’s initial Ocean Pot release in 2022 sold out quickly, but scaling production proved challenging due to fragmented supply chains.

However, a new partnership with Waterhaul – specialists in recovering, recycling, and manufacturing adventure products from marine plastic in the UK – has enabled POTR to meet increasing demand.

Andrew Flynn, POTR’s founder, said: “I was in Skye recently, and while it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, the amount of marine waste on the west coast is staggering.

“Waste is choking our shoreline – surely there is something that can be done to make it useful.

“We’re huge admirers of Waterhaul and the work they do, and to partner with them is a major step forward. Traceability makes it real for people.

“The more transparent the journey, the more it sparks conversations and makes people realise they can be part of the solution.”

Since its creation POTR has shipped to over 50 countries and secured retail partnerships with Uncommon Goods, John Lewis, and Bloom & Wild.

Harry Dennis, co-founder of social enterprise Waterhaul, said: “Ghost gear is the most damaging form of plastic in the sea.

“Working with POTR means we can take that material and turn it into something useful, something beautiful, something people want in their homes.

“They care about the process as much as the product. These pots are traceable back to the beach the net came from.

“That level of transparency matters. It shows what’s possible.

“This could easily be one of the most efficient recycling-to-product models in UK consumer manufacturing.”