Using natural dyes to remediate water pollution 

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The use of synthetic dyes generates colorful and inexpensive clothes, which have color that lasts for a long time. But synthetic dyes also cause problems. The dyeing process involves a lot of water, and not all places have effective ways of cleaning the water before it goes back into the environment. Wastewater from textile dyeing is a huge pollutant around the world.

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Wastewater from textile dyeing also affects plant life in the water, because many dyes have substances that decrease photosynthesis, the process by which plants get nutrients. For this project, we chose to experiment natural dyes to reduce their impact on the environment.

From the mordanting to the choice of the fabric and the colorants used, we focused all of our choices in a sustainable way. To carry this out, we experimented different dyeing techniques to reduce the use of water as much as possible (eco-printing, direct dye, ice dyeing, waste extraction, solar dyeing) and to develop a range of different shades and patterns.