New beginnings: the Kottonree Green Project

So, the detail about the Kottonree Green project, as it was approached in 2010, is as follows:

(These pictures are examples of the garments that form part of the Kottonree line; they're from the Kottongrafik website: www.kottongrafik.org)

• The idea for the project came from Corne Edwards' honors thesis. She received her degree from the University of Stellenbosch in 2009. She used to be in one of the residences in the Wimbledon cluster.
  
• The thesis was about whether organic cotton really is a more viable and sustainable option when compared with 'plainly' manufactured cotton. The finding of the research was that producing organic cotton and buying products made from organic cotton is not a significantly more sustainable outcome. If we were to invest in sustainable/green fashion, we should seriously consider using previously/already manufactured materials and textiles for the clothes we wear.
  
• The goal of the project within Wimbledon cluster was to make people aware of this fact (the unsustainable nature of the fashion industry) and to provide them with ideas of how old/used textiles may be revamped into fashion items etc. This could also get the following message across: when people talk about environmental consciousness, the general tendency is to think about recycling paper, glass, electricity etc. This project could broaden people in the cluster's perception of 'environmental consciousness' and could help them think about all of the different ways in which an individual could reduce his/her carbon footprint.
  
• This year (2010) it was decided by the convenor and the various HK's for green issues, that old clothes were to be collected from the res and PSO members during the 2nd and 4th quarters of the year.
  
• It was also decided that people should be given ample time to bring clothes. We decided that the 'drop off point' in each res/PSO HK house should be clearly communicated as well as the times during which they could go and drop their clothes off.
  
• On the 31st of July, the first 'batch' of clothes was dropped off at the Stellenbosch Hospice. By giving the old clothes to the hospice the project could a) help the Kottonree brand, as the designer buys the materials from there; b) increase the revenues of the Hospice shop which in turns help financially less privileged people in the community; c) increase 'green' awareness amongst students.
  
• This 'drop off' event was attended by a representative of each of the groups in the cluster (with the exception of Aristea, who's representative couldn't make it) as well as Corne Edwards from Kottonree.
  
• Both the Eikestad Nuus and Die Matie reported about this event.