Earth Day 2012 and have there been any positive changes or improvements in the last year? I think more people are becoming aware of environmental concerns and taking positive action. And yes, in my field of textiles and fibres I have seen more textile recycling taking place and more companies established to handle these procedures. A couple of years ago, a Google search produced only a handful of North American companies involved in textile recycling but today if you run that same search there are a myriad of companies listed and I am happy to say, many are Canadian.
As a woman who creates with textiles on a daily basis and keeps an eye on the industry, I have a keen appreciation for the medium but I am also very aware that the processes and manufacture of these very fabrics I love is having a major negative impact on our world environment and is contributing to global warming and causing serious detriment to our climate.
Governments, manufacturers and environmental lobbyists are slowly creating changes to processes and years of neglect and mismanagement of the industry which has caused pollution, energy and water waste in astronomical and devastating quantities. It is a slow process and many of these decisions are out of our hands, so how do we as individuals bring positive changes within our local communities?
I was shocked to discover that in Canada alone, there is an average of 7 kilograms of textile waste per person in our landfills and that accounts for 4% of all materials in Canadian landfills while an American individual throws away about 68 pounds of clothing and textiles in their garbage and dumps per year. Most of these articles are tossed because they are considered damaged, worn out, outgrown or out of fashion. We are indeed a throw away society. People no longer bother to sew on a button or replace a zipper or alter clothing when it is easier to buy new.
We can definitely take better care of our garments and household textiles by repairing or altering these items instead of disposing of them. We can be more aware and educate ourselves about the types of fabrics we are purchasing and attempt to buy more natural and organic materials and clothing.
Give your used and unwanted textiles to charities and thrift shops. Clothes can be re-sold in their shops and many charities ship worldwide to other countries where second hand clothes are welcomed. Items in poor shape can be recycled into rags for industry or can be shredded to make cushion fillings, carpet underlay, insulation, roofing felt, speaker cones, and compost. Some municipalities and communities now have textile recycling programs in operation. Check in your specific area.
Textile recycling service companies are more prevalent now and they are committed to providing sustainable solutions for corporate, city governments, school districts and various other agencies, including charities.
Retro is very "in" these days and perusing the aisles of your local thrift shops can unearth unknown treasures and camp clothing styles. The remaking or refashioning of clothing can be rewarding and fun. You can create accesories and clothing from older style acquisitions which can result in a unique and distinctive wardrobe. Be a trendsetter! Repurpose second hand clothing and household linens to make purses, bags for shopping, table runners, toss cushions, quilt backs, curtain tiebacks and table coverings.
Consider donating used household textiles to a local animal shelter, where they are usually welcomed. Most shelters will accept old blankets, bath and hand towels, sheets, pillows, bathroom rugs and t-shirts. They are used for lining pet cages, cleaning up messes, drying of wet animals, providing warm bedding and comfort etc.
Please give some serious thought as to how you can improve your textile habits and help Mother Earth clean up her act.
PS:
I love what this organization is doing in Vancouver BC - would love to have them around the corner from me!
http://www.oursocialfabric.org/
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