Greening Wilson College of Textiles: Sustainability Projects, Progress, and Vision
Environmental Action Group Takes Strategic Steps Towards a Greener Future
Get a peek into the sustainable transformation happening at the Wilson College of Textiles! A vibrant mix of students, faculty, and staff are banding together to champion sustainability projects within the Textiles Complex buildings. This dynamic team has been instrumental in earning the 2021 NC State Sustainability Award in the Innovation and Impact category.
From Humble Beginnings to Galvanizing Success
The journey began in 2017, when Wilson College established its inaugural Sustainability Committee, composed of employees and students yearning to implement sustainability projects. Today, the committee's tireless efforts have resulted in numerous sustainability advancements.
Committee member and professor of textile sciences, Karen Leonas, praised the committee's passionate and proactive members: "We have very active people on the committee...passionate people willing to go beyond." Every year, the team searches for ways to improve sustainability, mainly drawing inspiration from the college community's ideas.
With a grant from the NC State Sustainability Fund, the committee is currently working on implementing a compost collection system through the purchase of a composting dumpster and collection equipment for the building. Other projects include installing five water bottle refilling stations, offering options to recycle K-cups in multiple break rooms, and providing a dishwasher for reusable cups during industry short courses.
To address textile waste, the college cooperated with Green Zone to kick-start a textile recycling program that has diverted 5,500 pounds of textile waste from landfills and generated more than $1,500 for the Greater Good Textile Group.
These successful initiatives also align with the college's 2020-2023 strategic plan, which prioritizes sustainability and views it as a core value.
Sustainability in Research and Education
In research labs, various Wilson College faculty dive into areas related to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, tackling challenges like water usage reduction in textile production, wage and working conditions improvements, and exploring more sustainable fiber sources. This focus on sustainability extends to the classroom as many courses now include sustainability modules.
Real-world learning is integral to the curriculum. For instance, the Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science senior design course often includes sustainability-related design challenges.
Driving Change Through Student Initiatives
Students are actively making sustainable changes at Wilson College. Every year, the Sustainability Committee takes on new projects, such as integrating solar energy and developing a community learning garden that cultivates textiles-related crops.
"Our students have driven a lot of what [the Sustainability Committee does]. They are creative and energized," Leonas said.
The Road Ahead: A Sustainable Future
The ambitious plans for the future include:
- Open-Source LCA Database: An open-source database featuring Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data for various yarns will offer the textile industry valuable information for making sustainable decisions.
- Expansion of Sustainability Initiatives: With the construction of the W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory, textile innovation and entrepreneurship are expected to flourish, paving the way for more sustainable textile production methods.
- Ongoing Research and Development: Funding from grants and philanthropy will empower the college to continue its pursuit of sustainability advancements, focusing on minimizing environmental impacts and improving textile production efficiency.
Originally published in Sustainability News.
Additional Context:
- Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for Yarns: The Wilson College of Textiles, in partnership with The Textile Exchange, received a $350,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to perform LCAs for yarns made from common new and recycled fibers. The assessments evaluate environmental impacts such as air pollution, water usage, effluent discharge, and energy consumption, with the goal of developing an open-source database for the textile industry.
- Waterless Dyeing Techniques: Research at the Wilson College of Textiles focuses on developing hydrophobic dyes for use in waterless dyeing techniques, which minimize water waste and environmental impact in textile production.
- Sustainability Competitions: Students from the Wilson College of Textiles have excelled in and won university-wide sustainability competitions, such as the Make-A-Thon 2025, fostering innovative solutions and collaborations on sustainability challenges.
- Rankings: The Wilson College of Textiles is ranked as the world's top-ranked textiles institution, making significant contributions to textile innovation and sustainability.
- Funding: The college's partnership with The Textile Exchange has led to substantial funding for sustainability research, signifying their leadership in textile innovation.
- The Wilson College of Textiles, in collaboration with The Textile Exchange, is working on an open-source Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) database for yarns, aiming to provide valuable information for sustainable decision-making in the textile industry.
- The college's ambitious plans include the construction of the W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory, expected to foster textile innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable textile production methods.
- The college's Sustainability Committee is currently seeking funding from grants and philanthropy to continue research and development focused on minimizing environmental impacts and improving textile production efficiency.
- In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Wilson College faculty engage in research addressing challenges such as water usage reduction in textile production, wage and working conditions improvements, and the exploration of sustainable fiber sources.
- The Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science senior design course regularly includes sustainability-related design challenges, mirroring the college's commitment to sustainability education.
- The college cooperated with Green Zone to initiate a textile recycling program, diverting 5,500 pounds of textile waste from landfills and generating over $1,500 for the Greater Good Textile Group.
- Students play an active role in the Wilson College's sustainability efforts, launching initiatives like integrating solar energy, developing community learning gardens, and competing in sustainability challenges, such as the Make-A-Thon 2025.
- The college's commitment to sustainability has earned them recognition, ranking as the world's top-ranked textiles institution for their significant contributions to textile innovation and sustainability.
