Extreme Makeover: The Denim Edition

Melissa ChaseAssociate Extension Agent

Virginia Cooperative Extension

Objectives

• Increase awareness of innovative methods to recycle and reuse garments

• Discuss ways to incorporate in the classroom

• Evaluate additional resources

• Construct simple project

Way Back When…

• Recycling textiles is not new Activity: Groups review samples of “new”

projects made from “old” textiles, current and past

• Share personal stories from previous generations

• Share students’ stories

Lora and Cosmo Chase

Lewisburg, WV

Constructed in 1936

Learned to weave during the Depression by program funded by state of WV

Some rugs made with scraps from the Greenbrier Military School uniforms

Loom made with Model T parts

Dish rag crocheted and knitted from feed sack threads

Bland, Virginia

Minnie Wirt

Christiansburg, Virginia

Made from clothing scraps and quilted

Middle layer is a blanket

Quilted by tacking threads

Background– In 2006, 251 million tons of garbage reached

landfills• Rubber, leather, textiles make up about 7.3% of all

solid waste in landfills• Translates to 18,323,000 tons of solid waste • http://www.epa.gov/garbage/facts.htm

– Approximately 4% of solid waste is primarily textiles• Council for Textile Recycling• http://www.textilerecycle.org

Background

• Ninety percent of used textiles can be recycled1

• Usually referred to as pre-consumer or post-consumer– Pre-consumer: by-products from textile industry

sold to other industries such as car upholstery– Post-consumer: where textiles go after consumer

discards

1Jana Hawley, Dept. of Textiles and Apparel Management, University of Missouri-Columbia

Background

• Consumers can donate directly to organizations/businesses– Goodwill– Salvation Army – Consignment shops– Other charitable

organizations

Background• Organizations/businesses sell to

“rag graders”– Sort and prepare them for other

markets– Some textiles are sold to other

countries– Other fabrics shredded into fibers to

be made into new products• auto industry (sound deadening

materials)• value added products

– Others sold as rags for polishing, wiping

Background

• Local Textile Recycling Programs– Can be challenging to maintain

• Recycling companies may require full loads of textile items before picking up

• In rural areas, may not have enough items donated on regular basis

• Animal control an issue--textiles can become unusable• Depend more on Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.

donations

Teresa Sweeney, Education Coordinator, New River Solid Waste Authority, Christiansburg, VA

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• How Consumers Can Promote– Increase sustainability of environment, less

waste generated into landfills– Projects can be completed as a family– Possible new jobs created with recycling

industries and businesses– Donate discarded clothing to charities and

other organizations

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• How Educators Can Promote– Increase awareness of need to protect

environment– Encourage personal responsibility, creative

problem-solving– Promote entrepreneurial opportunities

Textile Industry Example

• Patagonia’s Common Threads Garment Recycling Program– Encourages customers to recycle their clothes

• Have processes in place to recycle their own product lines

• If other textiles meet their recycling criteria, such as Polartec fleece, can also be recycled

• Customers return used merchandise to the store

Textile Industry Example

• Dr. Jana Hawley, interview http://syndicatemizzou.org/media/show/27– Research and expertise in textile recycling

• Examples of industry recycling--value added products– State penitentiary in Texas uses denim for value added

products– Mixed with resins to make fence posts in Missouri– Mats under shingles on roofs– In Europe, smaller fabric pellets used for fuel– Carpets in car trunks

Textile Industry Example

• Savvy Seconds Resale Shop– Independent study opportunity with Dr.

Jana Hawley, University of Missouri-Columbia

– Students planned, designed, and opened the shop

– Purpose: Recycle clothing and provide employment for people with disabilities

Recycled Denim

• Approximately 70 million pounds of scrap denim winds up in landfills each year (McCurry, 1996)

• Can teach basic design and construction principles

• Incorporates problem-solving skills• Encourages consideration of other types

of recycling

Garment Samples

The “old” becomes “new”• Demonstrate deconstruction of jeans• Samples

– Jeans vest– Embroidered pillow– Tote bag

Video

• Sewing with Nancy– Nancy Zieman and

Amy Barickman• Denim Redesign

– Instructional video» Tote

Competencies/Task Lists

• Fashion Design I– Exploring Career Paths

• 007-Determine the roles and functions of individuals engaged in all segments of the fashion industry.

• 008-Explore opportunities for employment and entrepreneurial endeavors

• 011-Examine the impact of textile and apparel occupations on local, state, national, and global economies.

Competencies/Task Lists

• Fashion Design II– Analyzing career paths

• 010-Evaluate opportunities for employment and entrepreneurial endeavors.

• 011-Develop a personal career plan in the fashion industry

– Using Apparel-Production Techniques• 020-Explore alternative methods for garment

design and construction.

Competencies/Task Lists

• Work and Family Roles– Exploring Resource Management

• 046-Manage personal resources• 047-Demonstrate ways to conserve natural

resources– Exploring Careers

• 058-Investigate careers, using a variety of information sources

– Help students explore possible careers in the textile recycling industry

Classroom Ideas• Encourage recycling

– Deconstruct clothing– Reconstruct into new garments

• Enhance critical thinking skills– Problem solving– Pattern alterations– Creative ideas

• Embellishment techniques

Classroom Ideas

• Establish a recycling program– Encourage students to bring clothes to donate

to local charities/businesses– Fundraising opportunity for FCCLA

• Denim crafts• Teach clothing repair to students and

community• Offer workshops to demonstrate reconstruction

techniques• Sponsor a fashion show• Sponsor a direct recycling craft fair

Partnering with Virginia Cooperative Extension

• Joint workshops to students and community– How to recycle clothing and other textiles– Promotes environmental sustainability– Involve local recycling coordinators for programs

• FCCLA students open and operate their own used clothing store– VCE has resources to help you get started with your own

business– http://www.ext.vt.edu

References• Institute for Local Self-Reliance, http://www.ilsr.org• McCrurry, J.W. (1996). Blue jean remnants keep homes

warm. Textile World, 84-85.• Patagonia’s Common Threads Program:

http://www.patagonia.com/usa/popup/common_threads/faqs.jsp

• Trans-Americas Trading Company, specializes in processes for recycling textiles: http://tranclo.com

• Hawley, J. (2006). Recycling in Textiles. Edited by J. Wang. Abington, England: Woodhead Publishing Limited.