We don’t think about textile waste that often; it is kind of a silent form of waste. It doesn’t get the media attention of other materials, such as plastic and metal. But with the rise of “fast fashion,” there are estimates that the average American throws away about 81 pounds of clothing every year – to the landfill.

To help shine a spotlight on this waste, Zero Waste Washington partnered with the Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA) in October 2018, to host a textile waste forum called The Shirt Off Your Back – The State of Textile Recycling, Reuse, and Repair Today. The speakers were a blend of waste and consumer behavior researchers and designers and companies innovating to reduce textile waste in different ways.

Big thank you to the sponsors of the Textile Forum: Seattle Public Utilities, King County, Buffalo and REI!

PDFs of the presentations and discussions are belowVideos of presentations coming soon!

The Impact of Textiles on the Waste Stream and Where are We Going from Here
David Stitzhal, President, Full Circle Environmental

PDF of PowerPoint presentation.  Watch the video here.

Designing for the Circular Economy
Kamal Patel, Digital Product Designer, Circular Economy Designer

PDF of PowerPoint presentation.  Watch the video here.

Research Perspective – The Role of Consumer Behavior
April Atwood, PhD, Faculty, Seattle University

PDF of PowerPoint presentationWatch the video here.

REI’s Approach – Reuse, Repair, Reselling
Sue Long, Sustainability Initiative Manager, REI Co-op

PDF of PowerPoint presentation.  Watch the video here.

Repair and Reuse Approaches
Shannon Conrad, Manager, Rainy Pass Repair
Michelle Flores, Director of Sales and Merchandising, Renewal Workshop
Shan Sparling, Program Manager, Ragfinery

Flores: PDF of PowerPoint presentation.  Watch the video here.

Sparling: PDF of PowerPoint presentation.  Watch the video here.

Panel Discussion – Designing for the Circular Economy, Durability, and Upcycling

  • Lilah Horwitz, RENEW Designer, Eileen Fisher Renew
  • Ciel Kullman-Glover, Zumiez 
  • Lindsay Lawrence, Metamorphic Gear
  • Casey Sagisi, Program Manager, NW Sewn 
  • Ruth True, Nube9 
  • Gabriel-Bello Diaz, Channel Sales Manager, Efficio 
  • Sue Long, Sustainability Initiative Manager, REI Co-op

Watch the video of panel here.

Some panelists had powerpoint presentations:

Lawrence: PDF of PowerPoint presentation.

Horwitz: PDF of PowerPoint presentation.

Diaz: PDF of PowerPoint presentation.