Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Closing the Loop: Application of Transformative Sustainability Pedagogy and Action Research to Implement Scalable Zero Textile Waste Model at a University Campus

---

Abstract

In March 2024, action research was undertaken by a faculty member at a large Southwestern university to support transformative learning about TW prevention through a yearlong campus project geared towards the collection and redirection of T & A from local communities and landfills through creative reuse, recycling, donation, and swap events. This zero TW experimental program had four main objectives: 1.) to use campus as a living laboratory for testing and implementing solutions for circular, closed-loop TW systems; 2.) to engage students in action research in which students were taught how to collect, sort, manage, and divert TW during one school year; 3.) to collect data on TW diversion rates iteratively assessing social and environmental benefits of the project; 4.) to propose tested, scalable and replicable solutions to tackle TW on a university campus. 

Keywords: Sustainability, pedagogy, zero waste, campus, textiles, action research

How to Cite:

Jestratijevic, I. M., Blackburn, M. & Zuniga, R., (2025) “Closing the Loop: Application of Transformative Sustainability Pedagogy and Action Research to Implement Scalable Zero Textile Waste Model at a University Campus”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21998