It can take many modern textiles months to decades to decompose in a landfill once thrown away. Not only does this increase the mounds of waste discarded everyday but it also hurts our environment through the breakdown of dyes and gasses. One way to help lower this negative textile impact is through upcycling. Upcycling is taking a product that is no longer useful and converting it into a new product or material.

Christian County’s Master Clothing Volunteer (MCV) organized several work days to upcycle old fabric and scraps that would have been thrown out and turn them into dog beds.  All of the materials including fabric and batting were donated to the Christian County Extension Office by community members. The MCV then organized sewing days where community volunteers came together and used the materials to make over 140 dog beds of varying sizes. Once the beds were completed they were donated to the Christian County Animal Shelter, Max’s Hope Pet Rescue Center and the Christian County Humane Society.

The project was a huge success. The MCV and community volunteers/donors were able to save the landfills from pounds of material and the local animal shelters were given new beds for the animals they help each and every day. Because of the overwhelming response from the community this project may be repeated in the near future.