The treatment and valorization of agricultural by-products play a vital role in global food security and sustainable development. However, the sector faces considerable challenges, including the widespread practice of open burning—which contributes to soil degradation and atmospheric pollution, and the general neglect of its economic potential, leading to significant underutilization of biomass resources.

By mitigating open-field burning and converting agricultural waste into fashionable textile, our project strictly adheres to the Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Our initiative directly supports efforts in SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by establishing village-level collection systems that generate rural income and stable employment opportunities. We advance SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through the adoption of green enzymatic pretreatment and the development of protein-enhanced composite fibers, which reduce water pollution and enhance resource efficiency. By enabling the production of low-carbon, traceable textiles, we further contribute to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)—effectively converting straw from a source of pollution into a driver of sustainable innovation.

Together, these efforts reflect our commitment to an inclusive and circular bioeconomy, in which agricultural waste serves as the foundation of a greener, more responsible textile industry.

We developed a structured "Straw-to-Fashion" engagement framework that ensures our project remains responsive to sustainability needs throughout the value chain:

• Lifecycle Mapping: Identifying key stakeholders at each transformation stage from production to use.
• Feedback Integration: Using Purpose-Gains-Expectation & Action reflection cycles
• Iterative Design: Continuously refining our approach based on stakeholder input
• Impact Alignment: Connecting each interaction to specific SDG targets

This methodology ensures our solution addresses real-world needs while maximizing positive SDG contributions.

Problem Identification

Despite explicit national regulations prohibiting open burning, agricultural straw burning remains prevalent across rural China. This persistent practice stems from a fundamental perception among farmers that straw is waste rather than a valuable resource. The widespread combustion directly contributes to substantial greenhouse gas emissions and deteriorates local air quality, thereby undermining progress toward SDG 13 (Climate Action). With China generating approximately 600 million tons of straw annually—of which about one-third (≈200 million tons) is subjected to open burning (Qu et al., 2012)—the urgency of developing alternative utilization pathways becomes critically evident.

Stakeholders' Insights

Engagement with rural farmers confirmed that open-field straw burning remains a prevalent and deeply entrenched practice in the countryside. To delve into the causes of this phenomenon, we consulted Professor Mu Xiaoqing, who revealed that the main reason farmers still burn straw is the low profit from sustainable methods of straw treatment. He advocates increasing the added value of agricultural and sideline products to transform them into high-value products, thereby improving their recycling and reuse. This approach supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) by reducing emissions from open-field burning.

Sustainable Development Impact Assessment

Our project advances both policy integration and grassroots engagement as outlined in SDG 13 (Climate Action). By creating a viable market for straw-based products, we stimulate the rural economy with climate action—turning farmers from passive policy abiders into active participants in climate action by providing economic incentives (Target 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies and planning). Complementing this, we conduct targeted educational outreach to raise awareness, farmers gain practical knowledge of sustainable straw management and its environmental and economic benefits, empowering them to adopt and sustain climate-friendly practices (Target 13.3 Improve education, awareness, and capacity on climate change mitigation).

Problem Identification

In rural farming communities, straw management remains a significant yet underaddressed challenge. Current data reveal that over 50% of crop straw residues in China are either burned openly or discarded indiscriminately, with open burning alone responsible for approximately 34.9% of the total straw output (FAO, 2013). This practice persists due to its perceived efficiency in disposing of large volumes of agricultural waste, yet it represents a substantial economic loss. When straw is not collected and utilized, it fails to generate economic opportunities for farming households or create employment opportunities within local economies. Consequently, this mismanagement directly hinders progress toward SDG 1 (No Poverty) by obstructing the development of new revenue streams, and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by limiting the emergence of sustainable rural jobs.

Stakeholders' Insights

Discussions with farmers in Fengkai County exposed the socioeconomic challenges underlying straw disposal: aging rural demographics, limited local employment, and the absence of collection infrastructure. Significantly, farmers expressed strong willingness to both sell their straw and work in recycling facilities, confirming the viability of inclusive economic models. This understanding was further enhanced through consultation with PEELSPHERE designer Julie, who recommended immediate dehydration and biological inactivation post-collection to prevent material degradation. These combined insights directly shaped our implementation of village-level collection and preprocessing systems that transform agricultural waste into income-generating assets, thereby contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) . Together, these strategies have enabled us to establish a circular economy model that simultaneously advances farmer empowerment, rural job creation, and sustainable resource utilization.

Sustainable Development Impact Assessment

Our circular economy model converts agricultural waste into economic opportunity through collection centers and preprocessing stations. This approach creates additional employment opportunities and income source for rural farmers, thus directly supporting SDG 1.1 (poverty eradication) and SDG 8.5 (productive employment) by creating income streams, particularly for vulnerable groups like elderly women farmers. Additionally, these facilities stimulate rural entrepreneurship (SDG 8.3 Promote productive activities and micro-enterprise development ) while promoting sustainable resource management.

Problem Identification

The extraction of cellulose from collected straw necessitates pretreatment, yet current industrial practices predominantly rely on alkali-based processes that generate hazardous wastewater. While effective at removing lignin, these approaches introduce new environmental risks that negate much of the intended sustainability. Water pollution, excessive energy consumption, and chemical residues directly conflict with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by compromising water quality. They also lack scalable, clean technology, involved with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) in terms of sustainable industrialization. At the same time, inefficient or polluting processes contradict with the values of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by perpetuating unsustainable production systems. The dependence on processing methods that downplay environmental concerns ultimately limits initiatives to sustainable development.

Stakeholders' Insights

To address the environmental risks of conventional alkali pretreatment, we consulted Mr. Boxiang Wang, an expert in eco-textile innovation. Mr. Boxiang Wang guided our transition to enzymatic pretreatment and yeast surface-display technology. His expertise transformed our processing approach from an environmental challenge into an innovation opportunity, aligning with SDG 9's industrial advancement goals while addressing SDG 6's water protection and SDG 12's responsible production requirements.

Sustainable Development Impact Assessment

Our technological transition delivers concrete SDG contributions: enzymatic processing reduces chemical discharge (Target 6.3 Improve water quality by reducing pollution and untreated wastewater) while closed-loop systems prevent excessive water use (Target 6.4 Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors); yeast platform development builds local R&D capacity (Target 9.5 Enhance scientific research and technological capabilities); and elimination of alkaline waste streams with greener solvents ensures sound chemical management (Target 12.4 Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes). These coordinated advances establish a sustainable pathway for bio-industrial transformation.

Problem Identification

Developing straw-based fibers into market-ready textiles faces technological and industrial barriers. Many sustainable materials fail because they cannot compete with conventional fibers on durability, scalability, or cost. This gap reflects a core challenge for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), which calls for sustainable industrial upgrading, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), which requires practical, resource-efficient alternatives. Unless straw fibers can perform comparably to existing textiles, they risk being sidelined in both production systems and consumer markets.

Stakeholders' Insights

Collaboration with Mr. Wang and materials engineer Maoshuang Chen at LINKS Spider provided critical industrial validation for our straw-based fibers. Initial spinning trials with our pure straw pulp failed, yielding fibers below textile strength. Mr. Wang’s guidance emphasized the importance of scalable processes and cost-performance balance, leading us to add high-performance proteins into our straw-derived cellulose. Meanwhile, Chen’s technical feedback during spinning trials confirmed that protein integration significantly enhanced tensile strength. The breakthrough came with protein-enhanced fibers, which engineer Chen validated as achieving textile-grade strength. These developments align with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by promoting advanced bio-composite technologies and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by creating high-performance, sustainable materials that can integrate seamlessly into existing manufacturing systems.

Sustainable Development Impact Assessment

This project establishes a comprehensive model for sustainable industrial transformation by integrating technological innovation with localized capacity building. By utilizing straw as a domestically sourced raw material, we reduce reliance on imported pulp while strengthening regional manufacturing capabilities, directly advancing Target 9.2's (Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization) vision of inclusive and sustainable industrialization. Concurrently, strategic partnerships with research institutions and the development of protein-enhanced fibers exemplify our commitment to strengthening local R&D capacity (Target 9.5 Strengthen R&D and technological capability). From a resource perspective, substituting straw for virgin cellulose alleviates pressure on forest ecosystems and promotes sustainable natural resource management (Target 12.2 Sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources), while our implementation of greener solvents and advanced recovery systems ensures environmentally sound chemical management (Target 12.4 Environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes).

Problem Identification

China’s textile industry remains heavily dependent on cotton and imported dissolving pulp, creating both environmental and economic vulnerabilities. Although straw-based fiber offers a promising alternative, its market adoption faces key design challenges. Contemporary consumers, especially the Generation Z, demand products that keep balance among performance, aesthetics, and authentic sustainability. However, current bio-based materials often lack the visual appeal, tactile quality, and branding coherence required to compete with conventional textiles. The absence of design-focused development limits the material’s commercial viability and hinders its contribution to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Addressing this gap requires close collaboration between scientists and designers to refine texture, color fastness, and application-specific performance.

Stakeholders' Insights

Engagement with design experts and industry leaders confirmed that consumer adoption depends equally on performance, narrative, and aesthetics. Ms. Lu, CEO of FanRen Group, highlighted the strategic value of reducing China's reliance on cotton and imported pulp by positioning straw fiber as an ecological and economic alternative. PEELSPHERE designer Julie further emphasized the need for authentic storytelling paired with tangible qualities—texture, color fastness, and durability—to resonate with Generation Z consumers. These insights guided our early integration of design thinking into material development, refining visual and functional appeal while identifying sportswear and accessories as strategic entry points. This design-integrated methodology advances SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through market-aligned bio-material innovation and supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by making sustainable fashion both desirable and accessible.

Sustainable Development Impact Assessment

Our project establishes an integrated framework for sustainable textile innovation through technical advancement, collaborative R&D, and supply chain engagement. By ensuring compatibility with existing manufacturing infrastructure, our solution enables an environmentally responsible industrial transition without requiring substantial reinvestment (Target 9.4 Upgrade industries and infrastructure for sustainability). Concurrently, we partner with brands to communicate verifiable traceability, bio-based content, and environmental metrics, promoting corporate transparency and accountability across the supply chain (Target 12.6 Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and reporting). Through thoughtful design storytelling and clear labeling, we further raise consumer awareness of the straw-to-fiber journey, empowering informed and sustainable lifestyle decisions (Target 12.8 Ensure information and awareness for sustainable lifestyles).

Problem Identification

While sustainable fibers may achieve technical and economic viability, their real-world impact remains limited without widespread consumer adoption. Our market research reveals a critical awareness gap: a striking 84.04% of consumers are only vaguely familiar with sustainable apparel, and while 82.98% are attracted to the low-carbon attributes of straw-based fiber, its current recognition rate stands at just 22.34%. This demonstrates that even materials with high intrinsic appeal face significant market barriers due to low public visibility and understanding, which directly impedes progress toward SDG 4 (Quality Education) by limiting sustainability literacy and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by suppressing demand for innovative, responsible alternatives.

Stakeholders' Insights

Our investigations confirmed that public awareness is a pivotal lever for change. We found that most participants lacked understanding of the environmental consequences of straw burning and the benefits of recycled materials. However, when educated on how straw-based apparel reduces pollution and generates farmer income—tapping into the 40.43% who are motivated by "agricultural waste reuse"—interest significantly increased. These sessions helped people recognize that their daily choices can create tangible environmental and social impact, thereby advancing SDG 4 by improving sustainability education and SDG 12 by fostering more responsible consumption patterns.

Sustainable Development Impact Assessment

Our educational and outreach strategy is strategically designed to bridge the identified awareness gap and directly advance key SDG targets. Through public workshops that integrate sustainability principles with hands-on learning, we operationalize Target 4.7 by demonstrating how straw-based textiles offer a tangible solution to agricultural pollution and rural poverty, thereby equipping participants with practical knowledge for informed decision-making. Simultaneously, by emphasizing the compelling narrative of "agricultural waste reuse" and "low-carbon attributes"—key consumer attractors identified in our research—we build a strong, transparent connection between informed consumers and accountable producers, supporting Target 12.6's call for sustainable corporate practices. Furthermore, through traceable supply chains and targeted awareness campaigns that highlight these valued benefits, we ensure consumers can recognize and choose products that align with their values, directly fulfilling Target 12.8's vision of empowering all people with the information and awareness for sustainable living.

Moving forward, our project will transition from a technological proof-of-concept into a scalable ecosystem through three key strategies: establishing regional biomass hubs that integrate straw collection, preprocessing, and fiber production into localized closed-loop systems; co-developing policy frameworks with local governments to incentivize circular agriculture and low-carbon manufacturing based on quantified environmental and economic benefits; and enhancing traceability and consumer engagement through blockchain-enabled platforms and brand collaborations. Together, these pathways will transform straw from agricultural waste into a sustainable resource for the textile industry—advancing equity, innovation, and planetary health.