In 2018 alone, we in the U.S. added more than 11 million tons of textiles to landfills. A DIY machine has been developed that spins textile fibers made of materials like sustainably sourced gelatin. The “biofibers” feel a bit like flax fiber and dissolve in hot water in minutes to an hour. This means clothing you can wear a few times, then, when bored with it, dissolve and recycle to make more fibers. The machine is small enough to fit on a desk and costs just $560 to build. You could customize fibers with the strength, color and elasticity you want. Gelatin, a springy protein, is common in the bones and hooves of many animals, including pigs and cows. Every year, meat producers throw away large volumes not meeting requirements for cosmetics or food products.
www.colorado.edu/today/2024/06/17/wear-it-then-recycle-designers-make-dissolvable-textiles-gelatin