Creative Upcycling and the Economy of Waste Textiles
Notes on Circular Economy. In conversation with Sue Reed
First published in No Serial Number Magazine Issue 14 Autumn 2018
Creative Upcycling and the Economy of Waste Textiles
Creating a circular economy could be the key to reducing the devastating impact of the textiles industry, by returning unwanted garments and fabric waste to new, usable, wearable items. The long-held principle of economic growth and the traditional linear economy of make-use-dispose is falling out of grace, and rightly so, as we see the devastating cost to both the planet and all living creatures thereon and finally join the dots on what needs to happen to make any sort of positive impact. As a world community, what we need more of are the designer/makers who can look beyond what is new, and find value, inspiration and a new economy where the story of used textiles can be carried forward, and where new garments can be remade from old. Circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, is truly the future of fashion.
Sue Reed is a very vocal advocate of the principles of circular business models, since her thriving company The Woolly Pedlar has gone from strength to strength using exactly these principles. Sue rescues old unloved and discarded pure wool knitwear to reinvent them as unique garments and household textiles.
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