From algae to thread

A deep dive into a circular textile industry

Student report (2023)

Authors

C.Z. Ikink Architecture and the Built Environment
G. Samulionyte Architecture and the Built Environment
Y.H. So Architecture and the Built Environment
Y. Zhao Architecture and the Built Environment
Y. Jin Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

Rodrigo Viseu Cardoso Spatial Planning and Strategy - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
N. Katsikis Urban Design - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2023 Cecile Ikink, Greta Samulionytė, Yoshi So, Yuwei Zhao, Yuzhou Jin
Circular economy Algae Bioplastics Textile Industry Plastic pollution
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Published Date

13-04-2023

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

Plastic is one of the most visibly polluting elements in our environment. From big plastic accumulation zones at sea to microplastic entering our everyday drinking water, plastic is becoming a more evident pollutant every day, which is damaging ecosystems, marine life and human health.
This paper will envision a possible solution for plastic pollution in North West Europe, through the retrieval and recycling of plastic, and by proposing an alternative for plastics in the current textile industry; algae. The strategy of this project aims to create a more circular and local economy by envisioning how substituting bio-plastics in a specific industry can be a solution towards minimising overall plastic pollution.
Drawing on climate change as an environmental impactor; algae bloom, which is seen as a negative climate change product, will in this project become a catalyst for a change within the textile industry by making bioplastics.
Through introducing a new perspective on how the relationship between consumer hubs and production hubs could be adjusted to become more sustainable, this project aims to showcase a solution that could be implemented in other areas with plastic pollution, by taking North-West Europe as a test case. Simultaneously, the project aims to pinpoint how crisis can become an opportunity in times like these.