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.