A 12-Month Build: Turning Textile Waste into Building Materials
Altera Circular Systems is building the research, partnerships, and systems needed to transform textile waste into durable, usable building materials—starting now.
THE CHALLENGE
Why It Matters
Every year, millions of tons of textile waste end up in landfills—synthetic fibers that won’t decompose and natural materials that could have been repurposed. At the same time, communities face growing challenges: rising construction costs, environmental degradation, and limited access to sustainable materials.
This isn’t just a waste problem—it’s a systems problem.
Textile waste is an overlooked resource. With the right research, infrastructure, and collaboration, it can become something functional, scalable, and lasting.
Altera exists to bridge that gap—bringing together material science, community engagement, and real-world implementation to prove what’s possible.
What We're Building
We’re not just researching a material—we’re building a system that connects waste streams, innovation, and community benefit into a model that can be replicated.
Research & Materials Development
Material testing, fiber analysis, and formulation development to create viable textile-based building materials.
Community & Workforce Development
Workshops, skill-building programs, and engagement that turn communities into active participants—not passive recipients.
Real-World Implementation
Prototypes, demonstration builds, and public-facing projects that prove these materials can work in real applications.
Join Us
Choose How to Support
Every form of support strengthens the foundation we're building together.
Donate
Support the foundation year through general funding that fuels research, programming, and early-stage development.
Sponsor
Align your organization with tangible outcomes. Sponsorships support specific initiatives, pathways, or visible project milestones.
Partner
Bring your expertise, facilities, or network. We’re building a coalition of universities, trades, researchers, and organizations to move this forward.
Where Change Happens
WHERE SUPPORT GOES
Our work generates impact across seven interconnected pathways — each one a tangible way that support translates into action.
Material Research & Testing
Lab work, fiber analysis, and formulation development to validate materials with real rigor.
Prototype & Demonstration Projects
Physical builds that show how textile-based materials perform in real-world conditions.
Workshops & Community Education
Hands-on learning experiences that connect people to circular economy skills and ideas.
Workforce & Skills Development
Creating pathways for tradespeople, artisans, and builders to work with new materials and methods.
Organizational & Research Infrastructure
Building the systems, partnerships, and operational backbone needed to sustain and scale the work.
Building Momentum
Progress & Outcomes
We’re in the foundation phase—and momentum is already building.
Initial material research partnerships identified
Fiscal sponsorship established with Embolden WI
Community engagement framework developed
Foundation-year strategic plan completed
Launch first public workshops
Strengthen and formalize academic research partnerships
Expand public engagement and supporter participation
Publish year-one impact report
Other Ways to Help
Not ready to donate or sponsor? There are many ways to contribute.
Volunteer
Help at events, workshops, and community builds.
Make Introductions
Connect us with funders, researchers, policymakers, or aligned organizations.
Share Expertise
Offer skills in materials science, construction, design, policy, or community organizing.
This is the foundation year.
If this matters to you, this is the moment to step in early and help shape what this becomes.
