Sustainability Resources
From my sustainability talk, The Eco-Nomics of Fiber Arts: We need to change the way we make and appreciate textiles!
In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Remember that people and culture are also part of sustainability!
Click on the title for the website:
explores the medium of textiles to tell human stories and cultivate understanding. Includes a library and object catalog, essays, articles, and a Journal, classes, events and retreats, and a shop.
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
A NEW TEXTILES ECONOMY: REDESIGNING FASHION'S FUTURE
a 2017 report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in partnership with UNEP.
an organization of over 800 brands, manufacturers, farmers, retailers, and others committed to climate action toward more purposeful production from the very start of the supply chain - see their yearly reports.
TOXIC TEXTILES: THE CHEMICALS IN OUR CLOTHING
EarthDay.org (Yes, the folks who do Earth Day!)
2018 report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
STYLE THAT'S SUSTAINABLE: A NEW FAST FASHION FORMULA
McKinsey & Co.
The Livestock Conservancy's initiative to save rare breed (endangered) sheep by connecting fiber artists directly to farmers.
RUSTY BEE RANCH
Barbara Cloud-Wiseman & Brent Wiseman, Florida Cracker (critically endangered) sheep - search The Livestock Conservancy's online directory of rare breed products.
a local (to me) sheep farm where I buy wool; they also have booths at the Union Square Farmer's Market in Manhattan and Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn every Saturday.
a local (to me) sheep farm with Coopworth wool and locks.
established in 1925 in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina to support local artisans and preserve traditional American crafts, and a great place to learn spinning and weaving. Local Shetland sheep wool available from Martha Owen Woolens (on Facebook and Instagram).
ABC NETWORK AUSTRALIA REPORT
"Great Barrier Reef's microfibre problem increasing due to synthetic clothes, study finds" - 4/11/2018
a non-profit organization that develops regional fiber systems that build ecosystem and community health.
an international network dedicated to improving improving the quality of life of textile artisans worldwide.
International Labour Organization
THE LIFE CYCLE OF A T-SHIRT (TedEd)
HOW ANCIENT TEXTILES CAN HELP THE FUTURE (TedTalks)
S. Cafe fabric made from used coffee grounds.
fabric made from spoiled milk.
yarn and leather made from pineapple plant waste.
fabrics made from citrus juice by-products.
clothing made in Brooklyn NY from sustainable materials such as seaweed fiber, using 3D printing technology.
carbon capture technology, partnered with Zara for textiles.
carbon capture technology, partnered with H&M group’s Circular Innovation Lab.
textile dyes and inks made from algae.
harvests invasive algae to create biodegradeable, non-toxic and low energy textiles, natural fibers and dyes.
bacteria dyes.
uses DNA sequencing to create color pigments from nature.
takes abandoned fishing nets and castoff bits of carpet and transforms them into Econyl, a 100 percent “regenerated” nylon that has made appearances in products by some 750 brands, including swimwear, eyewear, and activewear.
sustainability news, including monthly roundups.
new sustainable materials; "the world’s leading match-making platform in the field of innovative materials" - @materialdistrict on Instagram
accepts returns (no matter what the condition) of Eileen Fisher brand clothing and resells, recycles, or repurposes the garments - if only all brands did this!
in Brooklyn NYC, collects unwanted textiles from manufacturers and makes them available for sale to the public; recycles what remains.
nonprofit store in Brooklyn NYC for salvaged & surplus building materials, appliances & furniture (accepts donations) and city-wide composting programs.
Nonprofit store in Philadelphia for used fabric, lumber, furnishings, craft items, office supplies & more, including items from film & tv sets.
PHILADELPHIA GUILD OF HANDWEAVERS
holds an annual Fiberpalooza! sale of unwanted fiber arts supplies donated by members.
My friend Nancy Nagle is a weaver who gives me her thrums which I use to make colorful yarn.
My friend Carol is a weaver who also gives me her thrums! Along with other items, she weaves bathmats made from upcycled t-shirt fabric.
traditional textiles handmade by master craftspeople and silk weaving thrums.
Tlingit Ravenstail and Chilkat weaver.
Palestinian embroiderer and dress historian.
traditional textiles from the weaving traditions and cultures of hill tribe Laos and Vietnam.
revitalizing Indonesian textile traditions, supporting women's enterprises, and conserving dye plant ecologies.
Articles:
BUSINESS INSIDER ARTICLE ON MICRO PLASTICS: "We've now found microplastics on the very highest and lowest points on Earth..."- 11/20/2020
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ARTICLE ON MICRO PLASTICS: "Creatures in the deepest trenches of the sea are eating plastic" - 2/28/2019