Insights & Field Notes

Textile recycling sounds simple, but most materials were designed to be used, not designed to come apart. This post looks at why mixed materials, coatings, trims, hardware, and adhesives make textile recovery more complicated, and why better recovery starts with better design.

Circular economy is often used as a sustainability buzzword. For textiles, the real work is more practical: understanding the material, choosing the right recovery path, and designing better next uses for textiles that still have value.

Textile recovery is no longer just a sustainability talking point. For companies with surplus materials, deadstock fabric, retired banners, old uniforms, or production offcuts, it is becoming part of responsible business strategy, and an opportunity to turn waste into useful products, programs, and measurable impact.

Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) and Public Thread have partnered to launch GRCC's Industrial Sewing Certificate Program.

What seems like our greatest challenge was exactly where we had to start.  Many do not know but we started out 2020 with only a couple staff, and an intention...

 A circular economy prevents the creation of waste in the first place: products are made with pre-existing materials, which are then eventually repurposed into new products for consumers.

Today, race remains the primary indicator of proximity to toxic materials. The Environmental Justice movement seeks to address the inequities of environmental protection with all people's fair treatment and meaningful involvement. 

At Public Thread, we support environmental justice by creatively disrupting systems. 

Made from a heavy duty vinyl, billboard canvas is designed to withstand the elements, making it ideal for everyday tote bags. They are waterproof and durable, so whether you are grabbing groceries, hauling sports equipment or going to the beach, they hold up to whatever you throw at them and in them. 

The holiday season produces a staggering amount of waste. According to Standford University, more than 1 million additional tons of waste is produced each week from Thanksgiving to New Year. 

Upcycling is the practice of transforming existing materials as they are into new products and high-quality goods. Today, upcycled, sustainable textile production is more important than ever. To understand why, we first need to examine fast fashion, its rise and its impact.

In today's dynamic landscape, the imperative for sustainability has transcended industry boundaries. From corporations to municipalities and non-profit organizations alike, entities of all types are seeking innovative solutions to minimize...

In the world of corporate events, aesthetics often take center stage. But for Bank of America and Public Thread, the focus goes beyond mere visual appeal. It's about making a...