A sustainability-focused British business start-up has launched a dog lead made from recycled fishing nets, the first in a planned series of pet care products made from discarded fishing gear that would otherwise threaten marine life by being dumped at sea.
The Tangle Dog Lead is a strong, lightweight 4ft dog lead featuring a padded brown cork handle and label, chrome plated clip and additional O-ring clip. Described as waterproof, chewproof and rinseable under the tap, the lead is available in ocean green with an RRP of £30.
Launched in 2022 by Sam Cartwright and Xavier Warburton, Tangle is a premium, sustainable dog brand on a mission to raise awareness around the issue of “ghost nets” being dumped in the oceans.
With a mission to make a real difference to global ocean life preservation, Tangle’s range of premium dog accessories prevents these nets from entering the marine ecosystem. Every Tangle product sold also supports Ghost Fishing UK, a charity dedicated to removing abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear from UK waters.
Co-founder Sam Cartwright said: “It’s estimated that 640,000 tonnes of commercial fishing nets are lost, abandoned or discarded into the world’s oceans every year. These are responsible for entangling and killing millions of turtles, dolphins, whales and other marine life. We’re all aware of the impact of plastic bottles and straws, but in reality ghost nets make up nearly half of all ocean plastics and they’re far more deadly.”
Co-founder Xavier Warburton added: “After working in the yachting industry, I’ve seen first-hand the horrific impact ghost nets have on our oceans. We were really shocked to discover that nobody’s held accountable for this, and we wanted to spread the word and, most importantly, do something about it.
“By creating a process where fishers are incentivised to donate their old nets, we’re able to stop ghost nets at their source and recycle them into something useful and beautiful. Our first product, the Tangle Dog Lead, lets animal lovers save the ocean all with the help of man’s best friend.”
