FabBRICK
Author: Tom Barton
The Problem:
The textile industry is highly polluting, resource-intensive and wasteful. Here are some key facts and figures:
The industry accounts for roughly 10% of global CO2 emissions annually.
Clothing production has doubled in the last 14 years.
Producing a single pair of jeans requires about 3,781 litres of water.
92 million tonnes of clothing end up in landfills each year around the world.
Fast fashion has exacerbated all of these issues.
The Solution:
Founded by architect Clarisse Merlet, FabBRICK repurposes old clothing and textile scraps into sustainable building bricks for construction and interior design.
The bricks not only help to deal with textile waste, but also provide a low-carbon alternative to traditional building materials. Concrete, for example, emits 0.9kg of CO2 for every 1kg produced.
FabBRICKS works with clothing brands and businesses to up-cycle unsold or defective clothes and materials. Thanks to the diversity of their material sourcing, the are adaptable and can vary in colour and texture depending on application. Their versatility has drawn the interest of architects and designers who are looking for eco-friendly and visually pleasing alternatives.
Impact & Lessons:
Although the bricks are currently best suited for interior design and small-scale construction projects, they have great potential for wider use. With enough research and development, the bricks could one day replace at least some of the unsustainable materials used in construction today.
In addressing the harms of two industries - textiles and construction - FabBRICK’s model offers valuable lessons in circular economy design. Their approach shows that one industry’s waste can become raw material for another, and highlights the importance of looking across industry boundaries for sustainable solutions.