Ecotribo: Pioneering Circular Design with Recycled Ocean Plastic

Ecotribo is a pioneering circular design studio and sustainable product brand founded by Tyrone Probert and based in Bristol, United Kingdom. Deeply rooted in the coastal culture of Cornwall and Falmouth, the organization focuses on the restoration of marine environments by transforming harmful waste into valuable designer objects. Ecotribo specializes in repurposing discarded fishing nets, or 'ghost nets,' and ropes found along the UK coastline, utilizing innovative manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing and injection moulding in their solar-powered workshop. The brand’s product range includes the signature Sea Change plant pots, sustainable carabiners, and unique furniture, all crafted from 100% recycled materials. Ecotribo is committed to radical transparency through its EcoTraceAbility® system, which allows customers to geolocate the specific beach where the plastic for their product was recovered. This mission-driven approach extends to their business model, with 10% of profits donated to marine conservation and beach cleaning charities. By demonstrating that waste can be reimagined as a resource, Ecotribo promotes the principles of the circular economy and environmental activism. Through workshops, live demonstrations, and creative collaborations, they provide a message of hope and tangible solutions to the global ocean plastic crisis. Ecotribo represents a shift toward regenerative design, where every product contributes directly to the healing and protection of the planet’s oceans.