"what can be learned from traditional textile practices to improve sustainability?"
I researched the possibilities for shopping bags, the ultimate symbol of consumer culture and the source of much wasted polyethylene (PE), a common plastic. Recycling plastic takes lots of energy, heat, chemicals, causes harmful emissions and the recycled material is always of a poorer quality than the virgin material. Better would be to extend the use of a product for as long as possible before recycling, but these plastic bags were made for short-term use and need to be discarded quickly.
This lead to 'Precious Waste', a textile made entirely out of used plastic shopping bags that were spun into yarns and then woven. The resulting fabric forms a big contrast with the cheap, mass-produced bags it is made of. The plastic shopping bag is transformed by pure hand work into a beautiful and strong material that's suitable for making new bags with a much longer life-span, or a wide range of other purposes. No chemicals, no heat or even electricity needed. When this textile is eventually worn out it can still be recycled in the conventional way, because it is not mixed with any other material, and can then be made into a new product once again.
This lead to 'Precious Waste', a textile made entirely out of used plastic shopping bags that were spun into yarns and then woven. The resulting fabric forms a big contrast with the cheap, mass-produced bags it is made of. The plastic shopping bag is transformed by pure hand work into a beautiful and strong material that's suitable for making new bags with a much longer life-span, or a wide range of other purposes. No chemicals, no heat or even electricity needed. When this textile is eventually worn out it can still be recycled in the conventional way, because it is not mixed with any other material, and can then be made into a new product once again.
research
I started a series of material experiments looking for ways to extend the plastic’s use after the bag was discarded, but before it would go to a recycling plant. The experiments helped me to get to know the material better. Reflection in action on each experiment led me to the next, and the next. The plastic was difficult to handle, it would tear quickly, it didn’t react well to heat and moreover, it looked ugly. None of this is surprising, because the material was cheaply made, meant for single use and usually carried bold colourful advertising for whatever store had given it out.
In order to create something new that would be attractive to use, I needed to get as far away from those associations (cheap, poor quality, commercial) as possible. This is why I turned to textile crafts. Plastic bags have textile-like qualities and inspired by people knitting with plarn I started cutting them into very narrow strips. I was then able to spin those into fine yarns using a drop spindle I fashioned. At this point the material transformed. The bold printed colours turned into subtle pastels and the resulting yarns were thin and strong. So strong they could be used both as warp and weft on a weaving loom. The resulting fabrics I wove by hand, were sturdy but looked delicate and fine. It’s hard to tell the fabric is made from plastic until you touch it. |