Fast fashion brands significantly contribute to global pollution, but a Miami-based business is paving the way for a more sustainable industry.
Osomtex, founded by Patricia Ermecheo, specializes in producing recycled fabric and yarn from potential fashion waste, showcasing an innovative approach to sustainability.
Ermecheo’s journey began during a trip to Ghana in 2018, where she witnessed the shocking reality of clothing waste, with 70 percent of the world’s donated garments ending up in landfills.
Employing a patented process, Osomtex transforms discarded items like old t-shirts and bed sheets into new threads for garments, all without using water or chemicals—a noteworthy feat considering the fashion industry’s responsibility for approximately 20 percent of global wastewater.
Ermecheo explains, “You manufacture the product, it gets used, and then we reclaim it to transform it back into raw material, reintegrating it into the cycle.”
The company’s clientele includes prestigious names such as Nike, and they have provided uniforms for Olympic athletes and unique socks worn by SpaceX astronauts.
Addressing the pollution crisis brought on by fast fashion, Osomtex’s approach directly recycles clothing into new products. By producing high-quality items that consumers are willing to invest in, the company aims to make a significant impact on both its success and the broader issue of environmental pollution from the fashion industry.
