Every year Massachusetts residents and businesses throw away about 230,000 tons of usable textiles.* Buying fewer clothes and maintaining the clothing you already own are among the best ways to reduce your environmental impact. 

Visible mending (see image) saves money, but it is far more than just a way of reducing your monthly clothing spend.  It is also a way to tap into your native creativity, reduce your carbon impact, and connect with your community. 

This September, stop by the Brookline Village Library (361 Washington St. Brookline, MA) to see examples of locally mended textiles, learn about their history and understand how visible mending might improve your relationship with your clothing and your community.

This exhibit is brought to you by local menders and Mariko Sugimori of Mona & Zoe Mending. Stay tuned for upcoming visible mending workshops at the library this December!

*Based on data from Municipal Waste Combustor Class II Recycling Program Waste Characterization Studies, 2022.

“Used Textiles: A Valuable Resource.” Mass DEP, May 2024 https://www.mass.gov