Category: Sustainable Fabric

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Jute, Biodegradable Bags…

Posted on by Lenny Variano

The Ganges Delta is an extremely warm and humid region of India where the jute industry has been cultivated for over a century. Jute is a golden natural cellulose fiber. After years ofthe jute industry declining due to reliance on plastic alternatives, it is now being sought after. Since the world is now seeking alternatives that are biodegradable, jute is showing up everywhere from supermarkets to fashion houses around the globe. In recent years jute was used solely for burlap sacks to hold mainly rice and grains. It is now being used in decorative fabrics as well as floor coverings. The jute industry is expected to bring in about 5 billion dollars in 2026. Shopping bags alone are responsible for pulling the jute industry out of its slump of the past years. Another important aspect of jute is that before it reaches the point of being harvested the leaves (Molokhia) of the new plant can be eaten and have a similar taste to spinach. The leaves are rich in Vitamin K an important clotting agent.

 

https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/jute-fabric
https://sakasaka.net/jute-leaves-or-molokhia-and-its-benefits.html

3-D Printed Sneakers…

Posted on by Lenny Variano

Heron Preston a streetwear designer has teamed up with Zellerfeld a technology company to produce the first 3D slip on sneaker. The sneaker is called HERON01. It has no seams, stitching, glue, not made of toxic glues or material, has no weak points, and can be fully recycled into a new shoe. The shoe itself is decorated with printed scales and textures resembling the feet of a heron bird while the sole combines the aesthetics of a claw with advanced footwear production concepts. They are easy to pull on and have a chunky sole with threading for traction. It has a prehistoric yet futuristic look and comes in a range of colors. New prototypes can be printed in hours as opposed to traditional avenues which take months. You can choose from standard sizes and use your iPhone to scan your feet at no additional cost. The program allows users to return their worn-out shoes for updated newer versions. For now, they are in the testing stage with 200 pairs being given out in order to receive feedback.

 

https://hypebeast.com/2021/10/heron-preston-zellerfeld-heron01-3d-printed-sneaker-mr-bailey-iphone-foot-scan-release-info

 

Is there an Afterlife for all those CDs?

Posted on by Lenny Variano

For the past 14 years, Bruce Bennett, has been in charge of the “CD Recycling Center” in Salem N.H. This is the place where CDs go to have an afterlife. Each truckload, about 44,000 lbs., is ground into raw polycarbonate plastic which in turn can be molded into car parts, building materials and eyeglasses. His concern for the environment began in 1988 when he himself was a CD manufacturer. One of his concerns at the time was how to dispose of all those damaged CDs. The material from which CDs are made takes 1,000,000 years in a landfill to decompose. By the year 2000 more then 900 million Compact Discs had been sold. A year later Apple released the ipod which made all these CDs undesirable. Another organization “GreenDisc” provides drop off boxes. These in turn are shipped to the National Industries for the Blind where they are sorted, turned into flakes and remade into spools for producing 3-D filament. These spools are in turn shipped to the Federal Government where they can be made into everything from parts for Humvees to missiles. There is a need to encourage more recycling of CDs just as there has for the recycling of glass, metal and cardboard.

 

https://www.greendisk.com/gdsite/default.aspx

http://lessismore.org/locations/278-the-compact-disc-recycling-center-of-america/

Ikeas’ Buy Back Plan…

Posted on by Lenny Variano

Ikea is well known for its inexpensive, disposable furniture. Starting on November 24th in Britain, it will begin its Buy Back Program. This will also run in 26 other countries, unfortunately not yet including the U.S. Customers who partake in the event will receive an Ikea Refund Card with no expiration date on it. Depending on the condition of the pieces the refund can be anywhere from 30 to 50% of the original price. There will be an “As Is” section of the stores where these items will be sold. Any articles of furniture that cannot be resold will be donated to community projects. The articles for buy back will be limited to any piece without upholstery. The program is a complete turn-around for a company whose campaign in the early 2000’s emphasized disposable furniture. This is a great step for a major company to initiate. It also plans to start making all its operations eco-friendly.