Nirali
Mehta
Client: Stretchery 2020 Field: Sustainability Strategy & CSR
Close the loop
With a passion for sustainability, we at Stretchery combined our design and resources into a simple strategy to imagine a new circular fabrication model during the times of a pandemic. Specifically, we wanted to explore how STRETCHERY'S NON MOVING STOCK might be used as a tool to address an immediate requirement with local communities in the pandemic. We wanted to start experimenting with simple circular fabrication methods using everyday tools, biodegradable materials, and a touch of imagination.
In a circular economy, there are ‘closed loops’, which means that everything is designed to stay in use. The team created ‘Circular Everything’, capsule experiments designed as masks , headbands – moving the wheels in a circular way, where the resources and products were planned to be continually reused.
For this we collaborated with MasterG- a small all women eco system enabling low income communities in the field of manufacturing and skill development. Equipped with the right skills, these women were able to operate with their sewing machines and some at home tools. At a time when India had one of the worst lockdowns in the world, we with the help of these women could make organic cotton masks for marginalized communities using our non moving stock. A few months later, we made it a part of our ongoing online offering, whose sales helped us in getting sanitization kits for the workers and their families.
How could we scale up this process to create systemic change? With this question we intent to work further.
THE PROBLEM
What can a farming family make a livelihood during off season?
Organic farming is a seasonal business. Working with a farmers cooperative in India, we understood this situation closely. Most of the women and young girls stay home and have a lot of free time that they could use in learning or doing something. On talking to them analyzing the possible resources on had we narrowed down to one skillset that either they knew well or were willing to learn. Sewing was something they were all open to exploring. It would help them keep busy, make things and get some running income. We set forth to address this with a strategy that would help us in helping them.
FROM WASTE TO MATERIAL
Apparel production creates a good amount of waste, in the form of fabric trims. As a material, Organic cotton is biodegradable and at times can be completely recyclable.
We wanted to integrate this into our offering and circular initiative. The result was Headbands, made from our production waste.
