How are the panels made?↵
The increasing number of old clothes has become a burden on the environment. Especially in developed countries, people throw away clothing items and purchase new outfits on a frequent basis.↵
So, experts in various fields have been searching for ways to recycle clothing materials instead of dumping them in landfills. Interestingly, one viable solution has come from the world of architecture.↵
Working separately, researchers in Korea and Australia have developed ways to convert old clothes into building materials. First, the researchers collected the garments and removed the zippers, buttons, and other solid parts by hand. Afterwards, only the cotton, polyester, and other fabrics remained.↵
Then, the researchers put the fabrics through a shredder to break them down, and with a special chemical, they got the fibers to mix and bond together. Then, they used heat and pressure to compress the material into solid panels.↵
The panels were strong, resistant to water, and handled fire very well. They were then shaped so that they could be used for various parts of a home. Some were customized to serve as floor tiles or wall panels. The panels were also given different textures and colors so that they resembled wood or stone.↵
The building material made its first appearance around five years ago. University researchers in Sydney, Australia, shared their findings and proposed their use in construction.↵
In Korea, a company named Sejin Plus has been working in a similar vein. The company has created Plusnel, a type of panel made from recycled waste fiber. In October 2020, it constructed a model house entirely out of this material.↵
Sejin Plus recycled about 12,000 clothing items to fashion the small building. By contrast, it would have taken over 200 years for these clothing items to decompose in a landfill.