Americans throw away an average of 68 pounds of clothing and textiles each year, according to the Council for Textile Recycling.
University students in the textile science, apparel design and merchandising concentration are learning how to use environmentally sustainable materials and techniques in making garments.
Lisa McRoberts, human ecology assistant professor, has pushed for eco-friendly techniques in apparel design during her tenure at the University.
“I have been wanting to teach sustainability since before I came to LSU,” McRoberts said.
Her dream became a reality when McRoberts met teaching assistant and graduate student Stefanie Ramirez, who is specializing in sustainability.
Ramirez assists McRoberts in her synthesis class, which consists mainly of undergraduate seniors working on their showcase collections.
“I measured the students’ knowledge on environmentally conscious materials as a consumer as well as a designer,” Ramirez said.
She plans to assess students again at the end of the semester after she teaches them about the materials to see how much information was retained.
“Besides informing the students on environmentalism, I am also looking to see if their feelings have changed on being an environmentally responsible designer and consumer,” McRoberts said.
She asked nationally recognized handbag designer Claire Sanchez, who has a background in surface design, to teach the class “green” dyes and dye techniques.
Various dyeing techniques taught included straight dyeing, ombre, shibori, mokame, plangi, kumo and batik.
Following informative presentations and demonstrations, McRoberts said her students chose to apply the knowledge to their garments.
“The majority of the students chose to use organic or sustainable fabrics, but were only required to use 50 percent cotton or more,” McRoberts said.
Debbie McAdams, TADM senior, said the fumes were easier to handle when using organic dyeing techniques, but the process took time to complete.
“It took seven hours straight of dyeing,” McAdams said.
She said she feels more knowledgeable now that she knows about eco-conscious materials and techniques.
“I didn’t know anything about it before,” McAdams said.
Contact Mallory Logan at [email protected]