Post- Consumer Potential

Valuable reuse of textile waste is increasingly important in the fashion and textile industry. For the production of quality recycled yarn, polyester is often added to increase strength. However, polyester is proved to release microplastic. This project investigates the potential of recycled cotton fibers as raw material without added polyester, in three design directions; Can we make valuable use of this material without the need for added fibers? Can the polyester in recycled yarn be replaced by a natural-based fiber? And can the release of microplastics be minimized through designing for non-washable garments? Based on the findings, a method was developed to support designers in finding valuable use cases for other waste streams to help move towards zerowaste industries.