OSCEDays Circular Textiles

Open Source Circular Economy Days is a global open community about open source resources to create a shift to a sustainable circular economy.

In 2017, we collaborate on a series of workshops focused on designing and implementing local solutions for the open source circular economy model and sharing our results with the OSCEdays global community. Our intent is to facilitate the creation of local, desirable and permanent jobs, while using processes and practices that make Indianapolis a sustainable city on a sustainable planet.

The second workshop is focused on bio-based materials and their role in establishing and maintaining a local Open Source Circular Economy. We will work on making bags to be used by farmers and members of the Community Controlled Food Initiative (CCFI), with the goal of eliminating the use of plastic bags and reducing the cost of packaging.

We will follow the OSCEdays ACTION framework to facilitate sharing our solutions with our community in Indianapolis and with the global community. For information on the framework, please go to:
http://community.oscedays.org/t/meta-action-create-an-oscedays-action-protocol/5305

Agenda:
Welcome/Introductions

Video/Discussion on a great example of a bio-based material and its innovative use as described in the following article:
http://www.paudashlake.org/blog-seed/2015/4/7/new-milkweed-production-boom-in-quebec-boosts-hope-for-flagging-monarchs

What We Can Do – ideas and challenges

Hands-on activity: please bring used or new pieces of material (linen, cotton, jute, other natural fibers) to make reusable cloth bags and totes for CCFI produce. You can also bring your own worn cloth bags, tablecloths, kitchen towels, t-shirts, drapes, clothing to make new items. Or search for donations of reusable natural fiber packaging at local stores, such as burlap sacks and bags.

We are looking for a volunteer or volunteers who know how to make tote bags and who would be willing to lead the participants through community volunteers who can help us with cutting, sewing and decorating the cloth bags and totes. Please contact us.