Fashion’s waste problem could potentially be solved with a groundbreaking colour extraction process.
Australian researchers at Deakin University have developed a unique process to transform old clothes into colorful pigments suitable for art and design purposes. This innovative technique provides a second life for discarded textiles and helps reduce the 800,000 tonnes of textile waste that ends up in Australian landfills each year. The team discovered that recycled particles from textile waste can be utilized in various ways.
Lead researcher and associate professor Rangam Rajkhowa expressed that their approach could address the challenges of recycling textiles due to the complexity of different colors, fibers, and blends. The process involves grinding the lower-end textile waste into a fine powder, minimizing energy and resource consumption. The result is a sustainable process that not only reduces textile waste but also produces pigments suitable for printing, coloring textiles, and creating art.
The Perpetual Pigments project was born from this simple approach to recycling textiles. The project involved Indigenous artists displaying the pigments as artwork on campus, showcasing screen-printed fabric designs and collaborating with surf brand Rip Curl to produce new T-shirts. The goal is to develop new ways to give waste textiles a beautiful second life.
One artist involved in the project, Jenny Murray-Jones, compared the pigments to watercolor paints, highlighting the potential for artistic expression. The project gained attention during Geelong Design Week and ended on October 29th.
The sustainable solution through art is particularly significant in Victoria, where the average resident generates 28 kilograms of textile waste annually. Despite the fact that about 95% of these discarded clothes could be reused or recycled, only 7% currently gets repurposed. Furthermore, the textile industry consumes large amounts of non-renewable resources each year.
The Deakin University research team aims to continue commercializing their innovation to divert more textile waste from landfills, benefiting both the economy and the environment. This initiative will not only support new markets for recycled products but also create new job opportunities and stimulate investment in the sector.
