Case Study of Renewable Bacteria Cellulose Fiber and Biopolymer Composites in Sustainable Design Practices

This case study challenged researchers and practitioners to rethink what constitutes sustainable consumer products in a world of increasingly stressed natural resources by exploring innovative ways to develop renewable biocomposite materials, e.g., leather-like nonwoven fabrics, that can be used for apparel and footwear products. Scientific research was conducted to identify cultivation and treatment methods that produce cellulose fiber mats, formed by bacteria and yeast in fermenting tea, with sufficient strength for use in apparel. Wearable products made of the green-tea based cellulose fiber mats can be an alternate future in which we move to a cradle-to-cradle (C2C) system instead of relying on materials derived from unsustainable sources. The outcome of this innovative and sustainable design effort is presented by creating aesthetically pleasing, biodegradable apparel prototypes and providing a promising future for this nonwoven material as an alternate future suitable for the apparel and footwear industries. A consumer survey was conducted of users’ perceptions and acceptance of using apparel products made of this material, and the results of the survey are discussed.