D.I.R.T x Earth Matter NY: Textile Decomposition Experiment
Parsons School of Design Senior Thesis
November 2024 - April 2025
Above: The mixing process for this type of composting system. Ingredients are places in the drum, and mixed once every few weeks to re-activate decomposition.
This textile decomposition experiment was in collaboration with Earth Matter NY, a community composting non-profit located on Governors Island in New York City. 4 different natural textiles samples- 2 homemade and 2 industrial - were placed in a 4 bin backyard composting system from November 2024 to April 2025.
The materials were: a handwoven cotton textile, machine knit cotton swatch, industrial hemp/cotton indigo dyed denim short cuff samples, and an industrial knit cotton swatch. The results of the experiment showed promise for the material to fully decompose in more ideal settings. The only leftover pieces were polyester thread used in the industrial cuff sample. This information was used to inform the fashion system designed for my Parsons senior thesis project D.I.R.T.
Starting ingredients for this textile decomposition experiment, taking place in a 4 bin backyard composting system at Earth Matter NY. 3 parts browns (carbon), 2 parts green (nitrogen), 1 part new material/water
Day 1, November 25, 2024: Handwoven cotton textile, and machine knit cotton swatch
Day 1, November 25, 2024: Industrial organic hemp/cotton, indigo dyed denim swatch
Day 1, November 25, 2024: Industrial organic cotton knit swatch
Day 1: Textiles placed in backyard composting system at Earth Matter NY, on Governors Island
Day 17, December 9, 2024: Front of machine knit cotton swatch
Day 17, December 9, 2024: Handwoven cotton textile
Day 17, December 9, 2024: Shredded industrial organic hemp/cotton indigo denim
Day 17, December 9, 2024: Swatches in a pile, industrial organic hemp/cotton indigo denim cuff sample
Day 17, December 9, 2024: Textiles placed back in bin
Day 99, March 3, 2025: Handwoven cotton textile
Day 99, March 3, 2025: Industrial cotton knit swatch, industrial organic hemp/cotton indigo denim cuff and swatch
Day 99, March 3, 2025: Shredded industrial denim swatch, shredded industrial knit swatch
Day 141, April 14, 2025: Machine knit cotton swatch
Day 141, April 14, 2025: Machine knit cotton swatch
Day 141, April 14, 2025: Handwoven cotton textile
Day 141, April 14, 2025: Handwoven cotton textile
Day 141, April 14, 2025: Shredded industrial cotton knit
Day 141, April 14, 2025: Industrial organic hemp/cotton denim cuff sample