Lycra, a company that makes spandex, is trying to find a natural replacement for its oil-based fibers. They are working with a company called Qore to create a new material from corn. Lycra plans to use a lot of this corn-based fiber in its products and hopes to reduce its carbon footprint by 44%. Even though the first version of this corn-based Lycra can't be recycled, the company is trying to fix this problem.

Other companies are also looking at using natural materials to make clothes. MycoWorks makes a material like leather from mushrooms, Faber Futures uses bacteria from soil to dye textiles, and Spinnova turns wood pulp into fabric. These new ways of making clothes could reduce waste and be better for the environment. But for this to work, brands and people need to change their habits and recycle and reuse old clothes more.

Original news source: The hunt for a new way to tackle clothing waste (BBC)

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a word or phrase related to the article (e.g. enzymes, bacteria, natural materials). One person from each group will act out the word or phrase without speaking, while the others try to guess what it is. The group that guesses correctly gets a point. Repeat with different words or phrases.
– News Summary
Instructions: Have the class read the article individually or in pairs. After reading, ask each student to write a summary of the article in their own words. Then, have them share their summaries with a partner and discuss any differences or similarities. Finally, ask a few students to share their summaries with the whole class and lead a brief discussion about the main points of the article.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article (e.g. "Using natural materials to make clothes is a good idea," "Recycling old clothes is important for the environment"). Have the students walk around the classroom and ask their classmates for their opinions on each statement. They should record their classmates' responses (e.g. agree, disagree, unsure). Afterward, gather the class together and have a discussion about the different opinions and reasons behind them.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board (e.g. polyester, nylon, enzymes, bacteria). Divide the class into small groups and give each group a set of paper and markers. One person from each group will choose a word and draw a picture to represent it, while the others try to guess what it is. The group that guesses correctly gets a point. Repeat with different words.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Discuss with the class the future implications of the article. Ask them to make predictions about how the fashion industry might change in the next 10 years as a result of developments in eco-friendly materials and recycling. Have the students work in pairs or small groups and write down their predictions. Then, ask a few groups to share their predictions with the whole class and lead a discussion about the different possibilities.

A science group in America called the Biomimicry Institute is working on a project to ? a natural way to break down waste polyester and nylon. They want to use things like enzymes or bacteria to turn these manmade ? into something that won't harm the environment. The project wants to find better ? to break down old fabrics and also to create new ?s. The fashion ? creates a lot of waste, with many clothes being thrown away and very few being recycled. Lycra, a company that makes spandex, is trying to find a natural ? for its oil-based fibers. They are working with a company called Qore to create a new material from corn. Lycra plans to use a lot of this corn-based fiber in its products and hopes to reduce its carbon footprint by 44%. Even though the first version of this corn-based Lycra can't be recycled, the company is trying to fix this problem. Other companies are also ? at ? natural ? to make clothes. MycoWorks makes a material like leather from mushrooms, Faber Futures uses bacteria from ? to dye textiles, and Spinnova turns wood pulp into fabric. These new ways of making ? could reduce waste and be better for the environment. But for this to work, brands and people need to change their habits and recycle and ? old clothes more.

1. What is the Biomimicry Institute trying to do with waste polyester and nylon?
2. How would you feel if clothes were made from corn instead of oil?
3. Do you like the idea of using mushrooms to make material like leather? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it's important for companies to find ways to reduce waste in the fashion industry? Why or why not?
5. What is one way that Lycra is trying to reduce its carbon footprint?
6. How would you feel if your clothes were made from wood pulp?
7. Do you think it's a good idea for brands and people to recycle and reuse old clothes? Why or why not?
8. What are some natural materials that companies are using to make clothes?
9. How would you feel if your clothes were dyed using bacteria from soil?
10. Do you think it's important for companies to find ways to make clothes that don't harm the environment? Why or why not?
11. What do you think is the biggest challenge in getting people to recycle and reuse old clothes?
12. How would you feel if there were more clothes made from natural materials instead of manmade fibers?

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