Redycler: Daily Outfit Texture Fabrication Appliance Using Re-Programmable Dyes

What is it about?

We propose a novel tangible user interface called Redycler in the form of a common household appliance that allows users to change the color and designs of articles of clothing quickly and easily. This device challenges the sustainability problems of fast fashion by allowing users to revitalize old pieces of clothing while empowering them to express themselves through personal styling (Cegindir & Bayram). Regarding personal fabrication, this appliance would enable people outside of technology enthusiast communities to modify their clothing without extensive setup or skill acquisition.

Featured Image

Photo by the blowup on Unsplash

Photo by the blowup on Unsplash

Why is it important?

In today’s highly competitive fashion market, retailers aim to keep up with the latest trends in fashion shows, leading to them increasing the frequency with which they rotate out their merchandise in the destructive business model today known as fast fashion (Bhardwaj & Fairhurst). The fashion industry alone produces 8-10% of global CO2 emissions and consumes over 79 trillion liters of water per year. In addition to production waste, clothing discarded for being old has major implications on textile waste as the average lifespan of a garment has been reduced to between 3.1 and 3.5 years per garment with only 15% of textiles getting recycled globally (Niinimäki et al.). With our environment deteriorating at an alarming rate, how can we motivate sustainable fashion and encourage people to recycle their clothing more? What if we could provide a home appliance that enables users to reuse their garments while keeping up with fashion trends?