Closing the loop on fishing gear
Tangaroa Blue Foundation's national Rig Recycle initiative is giving recreational fishers a practical way to keep old tackle out of waterways while supporting a circular economy.
Whether you're casting a line off a jetty, chasing barra in the creeks or heading offshore with mates, fishing is part of life for many North Queenslanders.
But there is one thing no one wants to catch: discarded fishing line and tackle, which is some of the most collected items during coastal clean-ups around Australia.
Data logged through the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database shows more than half a million metres of fishing line has been recovered over nearly two decades. That’s nearly enough line to stretch from Townsville to Airlie and back again.
Rather than seeing this as a waste problem, Tangaroa Blue Foundation saw an opportunity.
“Rig Recycle is about turning a problem into a solution,” said Heidi Tait, CEO and Founder of Tangaroa Blue Foundation.
“The Australian-first circular economy initiative provides recreational fishers with a practical way to dispose of used tackle and packaging responsibly and keeps it out of waterways where it can harm wildlife,” said Heidi.
Following a successful pilot along the Great Barrier Reef through the ReefClean program, Rig Recycle was launched nationally in early 2022. Today, it has grown into a multi-state recovery network, supported by tackle stores, councils and community partners along Australia's east coast.
Old tackle gets a new life
Every tackle box has it. Old fishing line, damaged lures, worn-out spools and bits of gear that have seen better days. Through Rig Recycle, those items are given a new lease of life.
Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s Business Development Manager, Brett Tait, said the program is built around the principles of recover, reuse, repair, recycle and reduce.
“We’re looking at the entire life cycle of fishing gear and finding the best possible outcome for every item collected,” Brett said.
Used monofilament fishing line and hard plastics are processed and transformed into new products, including polarised sunglass frames. Plastic line spools and handline spools are shredded and repurposed into useful items such as bait board scrapers, while lead sinkers are repurposed through specialised metal recycling streams.
Some gear doesn’t need recycling at all. Hard-bodied lures, hooks, swivels and floats are inspected, cleaned and repaired where possible before being donated to social fishing charities and community programs.
"Through a partnership with Tackle World, the official ReefClean Rig Recycle host, we're keeping valuable materials in circulation and preventing thousands of metres of line from ending up in the environment or landfill,” Brett said.
The model has proven so successful that it has expanded beyond the fishing community. Rig Recycle's collection and processing systems are now being used to recycle tennis racquet strings at major events, including the Australian Open, in partnership with Tennis Australia.
How recycling data shapes better solutions
Every item dropped in a Rig Recycle station contributes to something bigger.
Materials collected through the program are audited and logged into the AMDI Database. That information helps Tangaroa Blue Foundation identify trends and guide industry improvements.
“The data collected through Rig Recycle, doesn’t just tell us what we’re recovering,” Brett said.
“It’s used to work with manufacturers to redesign packaging and reduce the use of virgin plastics. That’s where real, long-term environmental change happens.”
Through Rig Recycle, today's tackle drop-off can help shape tomorrow's products.
Stewardship starts where you wet a line
Rig Recycle shows what’s possible when data, community action and industry partnerships come together around a shared goal.
“Rather than focusing on what people shouldn't do, the program gives the recreational fishing community a practical tool to become part of the solution and protect the waterways they love,” said Heidi.
Whether it's dropping off old fishing line after a weekend on the water, a tackle store hosting a collection station, or logging marine debris through the AMDI app, every contribution helps build cleaner and healthier waterways - for fish and future generations.
How You Can Get Involved
Head to Townsville’s Tilapia Takedown. A targeted fishing competition to remove the invasive pest from a local waterway. Bring your old tackle to recycle and purchase a pair of official Rig Recycle sunglasses made from recycled fishing line, all proceeds support the Rig Recycle program.
Find your nearest Rig Recycle collection station by visiting the location map at Rig Recycle.
Help build the data that drives change by logging marine debris through the AMDI App (Android or Apple) and using Recycle Mate to find local recycling points.
Rig Recycle is supported through Tangaroa Blue Foundation's ReefClean program, funded by the Australian Government's Reef Trust.
