Biotextiles: Fabrics and Dyes from Nature

The materials & fabrics we use every day do real damage to our environment, but can we do better? Biotechnology may be the solution!
About this Event

According to the United Nations, 60% of material used to make clothing is plastic, and this contributes to greenhouse gas production, microplastic waste, and other end of life production. Fabrics are also synthetically dyed, and those dyes are estimated to create 20% of global industrial water pollution. But is there a better way?

Biodesign is a growing field of study that may provide some important answers, sometimes by developing new mateirals, other times from learning from ancient cultural practices like natural dyes and producing textiles from our waste.

Join us for an afternoon course on material production and natural dyes. We'll explore materials from algae, plants, and fungi, and everyone will head home with materials to replicate the process at home.