Why are we doing this? 

Each year, the world produces 100 billion pieces of clothing, but 33% of that is tossed the very same year. The average American throws away 82 pounds of clothing every year, and the EPA estimates that textiles take up 5% of our landfill space.

Landfills create toxic conditions, and are consistently located next to minority neighborhoods. This pattern of placement disproportionately impacts our most vulnerable communities.

How many unwanted (but perfectly wearable) tees have you donated in your lifetime?

The bad news:

only 10% of donated clothing actually gets resold. If your tees weren’t landfilled, they were likely shipped off to developing countries.

The good news:

this ongoing partnership between UPRISERS and Rewilder will save unwanted tees, and reimagine them for you and the planet. Upcycling these tees has an astounding environmental impact: every ton of cotton tees (~6000 shirts!) reused instead of landfilled saves 13.2 tons of CO2.

Every TEE2.0! is pieced together entirely out of three unwanted tees, saving 13.2 pounds of CO2 (equivalent to walking instead of driving from the Santa Monica pier to Staples Center!) The process is labor-intensive, requiring a collective effort to gather old tees, take them apart, and re-piece them into a new form.

This innovative and inspiring project is a collaboration between Rewilder, Uprisers and TWBA Chiat Day. The graphic is by renowned artist Zibezi. 

The Asian Affinity Group at Chiat\Day LA sought to commission a graphic that explores belonging as part of the agency’s AAPI Heritage Month initiatives, 100% aka $108 benefits the organization Hate is a Virus. 

This project could not have happened without the passion and commitment of Michelle K. Hanabusa, founder and creative force behind Uprisers. 

Rewilder x Uprisers Context Each year, the world produces 100 billion pieces of clothing, but 33% of that is thrown away. The average American throws away 82 pounds of clothing annually and the EPA estimates that textiles take up 5% of our landfill space.Landfills create toxic conditions, and are consistently located next to minority neighborhoods. Challenge You have likely donated an unwanted but perfectly wearable t-shirt. It turns out only 10% of donated clothing actually gets resold. If your tees weren’t landfilled, they were likely shipped off to developing countries. Our ongoing partnership between UPRISERS and Rewilder saves these unwanted tees, and reimagines them for you and the planet. Impact Each TEE2.0! Is created out of three unwanted tees. Upcycling these tees has an astounding environmental impact: every ton of cotton tees (~6000 shirts!) reused instead of landfilled saves 13.2 tons of CO2. Upcycling is not just a measure to save the world, the country, and ourselves. It’s about creating magic out of garbage. And in the end, nothing is trash if you think about it.” Walter Perez. Skilled Craftsman, Rewilder. Every Tee 2.0 ! is pieced together entirely out of three unwanted tees, saving 13.2 pounds of CO2 (equivalent to walking instead of driving from the Santa Monica pier to Staples Center!) 100% aka $108 of each shirt will be donated to #Hateisavirus I am at home. Tee2.0! Is a collaboration between UPRISERS and Rewilder. Together, we’re phasing out waste by upcycling old tees in a new fashion. Rewilder X UPRISERS