Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…Dust?
Everyone knows the three Rs of eco-friendly living: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. But the Argentine National Institute for Industrial Technology (INTI) is taking recycling to a new level.
Their January 2011 newsletter “Saber Como” (Know How) reports that the INTI has developed a new method of extracting natural pigments from agricultural waste and preserving them in water-soluble dust form. To date, they have extracted over 20 dyes from plants like eucalyptus, peanut shells, ash tree, onions, yerba mate, olive, rosemary, and lemon (see pictures above and below for dyes and colors). Currently, they are testing these dyes on fabric; they hope to experiment with cosmetics, paint, paper, and rubber in the near future.
Natural dyes are regaining their rightful place in the fashion world, quickly overtaking synthetic colorants that are harmful to the environment. Most fashion designers extract natural colors by boiling vegetables.
We at PeaceKeeper are excited about the INTI’s findings! Imagine, having gorgeous clothing for peanuts (literally)!
Want to find out more? Visit the INTI’s website to read the newsletter (in Spanish; use Google Translate to read it!) Then leave us a comment and let PeaceKeeper know what you think!
With Love,
The PeaceKeeper Team
(Writer: Renee Estey. Editor: Jessica Smith. Pictures courtesy inti.gob.ar.
For more information about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)
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Tags: eco-fashion, eco-technology, natural colors
