This Bachelor’s degree project by Isabelle Kemi (Industrial Design, Umeå Institute of Design, 2025) explores new possibilities for repurposing textile waste through small-scale experimentation and hands-on material exploration.

The material used in this project consists of discarded textiles from a local second-hand market in Umeå — fabrics that would otherwise be deemed unsellable and sent to landfill or incinerated. Each year, millions of tons of textiles are thrown away, often as second-hand leftovers or production surplus. A large portion ends up in landfills or is burned, where synthetic fibers can take hundreds of years to decompose or release harmful emissions, contributing to severe environmental damage.

With the textile industry’s growing environmental footprint, there is an urgent need for creative, alternative approaches to how we handle textile waste.

In collaboration with The Loop Factory, who supported the project by assisting in shredding textile waste and offering valuable guidance along the way, I developed a technique that transforms discarded textiles into a moldable, durable material. Using simple tools and non-toxic, household ingredients, the method is designed to be accessible for designers, makers, and curious creators alike. The result is a new way to extend the life of textile waste — not by recycling in the traditional sense, but by reimagining its purpose entirely.

Beyond just material development, this project aims to inspire a shift in how we view waste — from something to get rid of, to something to work with. It invites designers to see potential in the overlooked, and to participate in shaping more resourceful and sustainable design practices.

I’ve done the exploring so we can start creating. Join me in turning textile waste into possibility.