After researching fashion’s outsized impact on water quality in Nepal, two colleagues from Cambridge University found a natural solution to end water pollution from the toxic dyes used. Despite Nepal being water-abundant, water pollution has led to 85% of citizens being water-insecure. The team’s solution uses genetically modified bacteria; the modification triggers color generation in the cells, which replicate quickly. The resulting pigment can be used to dye fabric, without a runoff. The team likens the process to making beer, but with pigments as the end result instead of alcohol. Fashion giants are working with Colorifix to reduce the industry’s ecological footprint.
Author: Alfonse Sessa III