March Pub Talk

Science Pub: “Beyond Bed and Bath: Creating a Circular Textile Economy”
March 7th, 2022 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Sip your favorite brew, while you learn a thing or two! Science Pub is an opportunity to enjoy learning about science in an informal atmosphere; no scientific background necessary! Just bring your curiosity and a thirst to learn.

There are 2 ways to be at this event:

  1. In Person – Paradise Creek Brewery will be seating indoors at 100% capacity and the pub talk will be broadcast/projected on a the large projection screen in the pub/restaurant area.
  2. On Zoom – Register for the Zoom Talk HERE. Place a food/drink order for pick up at Paradise Creek Brewery’s Downtown Restaurant – 245 SE Paradise St, Pullman. Local delivery is also available. Mention Science Pub and you’ll be sent a link by text or email to join the event. Tip: Place your order early so it’s ready by Science Pub time.

See the Facebook event here

This month’s speakers:

Join Hang Liu and Patricia Townsend on March 7th for their pub talk, “Beyond Bed and Bath: Creating a Circular Textile Economy “.

Clothing and textiles play a vital role in human life from clothing, to bedding, upholstery, and stuffed toys. With increases both in world population and living standard, clothing and textile consumption has grown steadily. Currently, most textile waste is incinerated or put in landfills, causing environmental issues and waste of natural resources. WSU’s Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles and WSU Extension seek to mitigate the environmental impacts of clothing and textile over-consumption and waste by creating new opportunities within Washington’s circular economy to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Our research suggests that hotels, with their extensive use of cotton linens (sheets and towels), might offer a starting point for reducing textile waste. We are investigating why hotels decide to discard their linens, where they send them, and whether they have economically viable secondary uses. Our goal is to extend the lifespan of linens, minimize the massive production of virgin cotton fibers, and reduce the volume of cotton textile waste ending up in landfills. Dr. Hang Liu will share how discarded linens can be recycled into new fibers with textile engineering.   

Dr. Hang Liu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles at Washington State University. She has a textile science and engineering background and conducts research on developing biobased textile materials for enhanced environmental sustainability and monitoring for human health. One research project Dr. Liu has focused on in the past several years is recycling post-consumer cotton waste to produce new fibers for high-quality textiles using an environmentally friendly and economically viable technology. 

Dr. Patricia Townsend is an Associate Professor and Environment and Community Outreach Specialist with WSU Extension. She is passionate about finding solutions to complex environmental problems including climate change and plastic pollution. Dr. Townsend is interested in sustainability and uses her experience as a former fashion designer and bioeconomy educator to help build a circular textile economy. She collaborates on research and education projects across WSU and is leading the new Washington State Naturalist Certification program.