The Zero Waste Textile Initiative

The Mission and People Behind it

The Zero Waste Textile Initiative (ZWTI) is a sustainability initiative geared towards the collection and redirection of textiles from landfills through creative reuse, recycling, donation, and swap events. We launched this initiative with the mission to use our campus as a living laboratory for testing, and implementing solutions for circular, closed-loop textile waste systems.

The founding faculty member is Dr. Jestratijevic and it is led by URF students Rosalyn Zuniga, Madeline Blackburn, and Claire Uresti.

Research

The Zero Waste Textile Initiative applies Life Cycle Assessment Methodology to analyze its environmental impact and propose a scalable solution to textile waste in local communities.

Rosalyn Zuniga and Madeline Blackburn received an award for Best Undergraduate Research Project at the CMHT Research Showcase (2024) for their contribution to the project.

Community members interested in the collaborative research opportunities, LCA methodology, or our data can contact us on the following email: Iva.Jestratijevic@unt.edu

Outcomes

Since it’s inception on 3/4/2024, ZWTI has allied with partners such as the City of Denton (Solid Waste & Recycling, Sustainability Department) and so far, have collected & sorted over 6,450lbs of Textiles & Apparel. Of this material, 4,750lbs were diverted through On-campus events and donation to partners such as UNT Based Diamond Eagle Clothing Closet. The remainder of this material is set to be diverted in spring 2025.

Through students receiving a garment from Zero Waste Textile Initiative, rather than buying a new item, ZWTI has saved 28,473 kg CO2e, 380,047 MJ of energy, 869,250 Liters of water.

Impact Avoidance from Clothing Reuse

 

Events

Sort-A-Thon

ZWTI held its first annual Sort-A-Thon event on 9/23/2025-9/25/2025. This 3-day event was hosted by the City of Denton (Sustainability Dept.) in their warehouse and involved over 60 volunteers across 10 colleges. Approximately 1,700lbs of material was sorted and collected in the data by the participating volunteers.

Community Closet

The first Community Closet was a swap event and design workshop held in the Union on 4/26/2024. ZWTI also held Scrappy’s Community Clothing Closet on 11/19/2024 in partnership with Diamon Eagle Clothing Closet and a swap event at WMGF Sustainability Fair.

 

Volunteer Opportunities

The Zero Waste Textile initiative provides an opportunity for students to involve themselves within sustainability and further their research skills. We are seeking volunteers for sorting, collection, upcycling, and events.

Volunteer Interest Form: https://forms.office.com/r/8YQt9rpLjP

Interested volunteers can reach out to the emails: Iva.Jestratijevic@unt.edu  RosalynZuniga@my.unt.edu

Related Media and Articles

• new recycling initiative campus aims reduce textile waste
• new initiative at UNT encourages sustainable fashion recycling and zero waste creations

• City of Denton Media: ZWTI Sort-A-Thon

Instagram:  @unttextilewaste

Gallery

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•