Browsing by Author "Gunst, Hanna"

The aim of this study was to find out how much textile waste is produced in the different work stages in the craft class of Karamzin’s school (in Espoo, Finland), during a two week period. The study additionally explored which means the school’s craft teacher used to reduce the amount of textile waste produced in craft teaching. Textile waste is a current topic due to a new government regulation that doesn’t allow textile waste to be transferred to landfills. Also the latest national core curriculum for basic education obligates craft teaching to pay attention to sustainable development. The craft teacher of Karamzin’s school and 166 students who attended the craft class took part in the study. The material was gathered by collecting textile waste in the craft class and by interviewing the craft teacher in a theme interview. The collected textile waste was sorted by textile type and weighed. The interview was analyzed with material based content analysis. 1,7 kg of textile waste was produced during two weeks. Most of the textile waste was fabric, while the most textile waste was produced during the fabric cutting process of dressmaking. The craft teacher of Karamzin’s school reduced the production of textile waste with the help of design, material management and recycling, by teaching waste reducing work methods and by passing on her knowledge and values. (The study finds that) more attention should be paid on fabric waste recycling and ways on reutilize fabric waste in craft teaching. Textile waste generation can be avoided by creating a good recycling system in the class which facilitates recovery, storage and reutilization of waste textiles. Fabric waste can be used for example among wad to stuff pillows and soft toys.