In addition to working as an Interior Designer at STA, I have been teaching at the Boston Architectural College since Fall 2013. This past Spring, Lauren O’Brien, a Master of Interior Architecture student who took two of my classes, invited me to be her Thesis Advisor.
Lauren started her thesis investigating how New England’s historical tradition of textile manufacturing in the Greater Boston area – that employed New and Native Bostonians, kept alive a hand skill, and supported the community, was affected by the recent years’ global fast fashion movement.
In response to that observation, Lauren is proposing a community space that focus on creativity through skill development that will provide New and Native Bostonians with an alternative to fast fashion by upcycling used textiles.
As part of her research process, I proposed to her to meet with the STA design team to discuss ideas, and from that conversation, I would like to share three resources that truly inspired us:
Black Earth Compost Textile Recycling Program
From their website:
“In coordination with your weekly compost pick up, we will also pick up textiles. We participate in a textiles recycling program that sorts your unwanted textiles.
- High quality goods are sent to thrifts stores
- Lower quality goods are sent to developing nations
- Lowest quality is shredded for industrial purposes
We accept:
- All Clothing: including belts, hats, intact shoes, jackets, gloves, etc.
- Any Fabric: like towels, curtains, linens, fabric scraps, etc.
Not Accepted:
- Carpets/Rugs
- Wet, moldy, or mil-dewy textiles
- Comforters, pillows, or other inserts
- Heavily worn shoes or stuffed animals
Just put out a white plastic drawstring bag with a BEC sticker filled with your unwanted textiles next to your compost bin during your regularly scheduled pick up.
From their website:
“Homelessness is a cycle in which becoming trapped is all too easy. One young college student knew firsthand what an unstable childhood stuck in poverty could mean. With that in mind, Veronika Scott set out to create an opportunity she wished her own family had been given. Initially, this opportunity took the form of a coat—a coat that could turn into a sleeping bag. Pursuing this vision, Veronika spent a semester designing this coat not only for individuals in need, but also with them.
It was not until a homeless woman approached Veronika that she realized the true potential of her project. This woman did not want a coat; she wanted a job. It was at that moment Veronika committed to hiring parents from shelters across Detroit to manufacture the coats with an effort to help families break that vicious cycle of poverty and become financially secure.
The Empowerment Plan creates significant economic impact by serving as a stepping-stone out of poverty into a state of stability. The core of our work stems from our intensive 2-year employment model focused on providing job readiness training and support services to our workforce.
It is because of this model and the strength of those we employ, that every single person has moved out of the shelter within the first 4-6 weeks of working with us and no one has returned to homelessness once we have hired them.”
From their website:
“Upcycle That is the premium destination for upcycling. We feature the world’s best upcycling ideas and inspiration. Our mission is to inspire as many people as possible to upcycle!
Upcycling is alchemy. By creatively repurposing and reusing, we can turn trash into treasure.
Upcycle That is curated by Judy Rom, a lover of design, sustainability and home decor. Judy has always been an avid collector of found objects. It is impossible for her to walk past a thrift shop without feeling pulled to explore the treasures within.
Judy’s favorite thing about upcycling is how universal it is. No matter where you live, or how much money you have, anyone can be an upcycler. At Upcycle That we feature the full spectrum of upcycling ideas; from simple, beautiful DIY projects, to breathtaking artwork made by skilled artisans.
What do you see when you look at the materials around you? Get inspired to see things differently!
These programs will serve as precedents to create a space that promotes creative ways to upcycle textiles, providing New and Native Bostonians with the opportunity to develop a hand-skill, produce valuable products from existing textiles and activate their role in the community.
-Andy
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