(From Bridge Detroit) The fast fashion industry generates enormous waste, with many fabrics ending up in landfills or incinerators. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an estimated 17 million tons of textiles are thrown away annually in the United States alone. These textiles are forgotten and underutilized resources that could be repurposed or recycled. On average, landfills are 2.8 times more likely to be located in areas with a high percentage of BIPOC residents, causing health concerns.
Urban Energy Justice Lab PhD Candidate Madeline Miller and her company NEXTILES have a mission to decrease the amount of textiles going to landfills while offering continuous education about the environmental impacts of textile waste.
“I don’t see myself as an expert, and I’m constantly learning every single day how to improve and take better care of our natural resources. There’s always new research out there, and I know I have a long way to go, but that fuels me to continue. I’m always motivated to learn from every opportunity.”
urbanenergyjusticelab.com 