Abstract
Sustainable and circular production has been highlighting the importance of material extraction, processing, and disposal. In order to reduce the negative environmental and social impact of design products, relying on regenerative resources that are biodegradable and non-hazardous have become important assets. Developing novel materials with such properties is one of the strategies for minimizing material-based impact. This paper explores possibilities of reviving existing materials in industrial and local production for bettering the conditions. The paper introduces a project titled “In Search of Wool(s)” to identify the challenges of growing and using local wool, specifically in North Carolina, USA. The project examines the potential of existing natural materials to be reintroduced as sustainable solutions for overcoming environmental problems that stem from material generation and disposal. By building on the findings developed from interviews and a workshop with sheep farmers, artisans, and educators, the paper proposes developing and strengthening material communities as a method of reviving the use of existing natural materials. Findings show that expanding people and things involved in material communities is a crucial first step to bringing innovative thinking back to local practices. These initiatives can also help small communities develop in socially sustainable ways.