Clarisse Merlet, a visionary French architect, has pioneered an ingenious solution to combat textile waste and revolutionize the construction industry. Her brainchild, FabBRICK, upcycles discarded clothing into decorative and insulative bricks that promise remarkable thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

France grapples with an estimated 4 million tons of textile waste, with less than a third of it earmarked for reuse or recycling within the country. This glaring discrepancy fueled Merlet’s determination to find a sustainable solution.

In 2017, as a dedicated architecture student, Merlet was deeply disturbed by the staggering global textile waste crisis and the wastage prevalent in construction. This catalyzed her innovative idea: repurpose already-extracted resources for building. Thus, FabBRICK was born. The company specializes in crafting bricks from old clothes, and in April 2019, it received vital support through a crowdfunding round, securing EUR€10,000 (approximately US$11,000) for the development of a brick-making machine, streamlining production.

Each brick incorporates the equivalent of two to three T-shirts, sourced from a supplier in Normandy. Utilizing materials like cotton, polyester, elastane, and PVC, along with Merlet’s ecologically-friendly glue, the scraps undergo a meticulous process. They are mixed, pressed into a brick mold, and subjected to mechanical compression for shaping. The resulting wet bricks are then air-dried for two weeks before becoming ready for use.

Available in various sizes, FabBRICK emphasizes the bricks’ exceptional thermal and acoustic insulating properties, rendering them ideal for room dividers, decorative walls in retail spaces, and versatile furniture pieces like lamps, tables, and stools. While they can be integrated into construction, they are primarily designed for structural applications, an area of ongoing development for Merlet.

Since its inception in late 2018, FabBRICK has produced over 40,000 bricks, equivalent to 12 tons of recycled textiles. Notably, the company offers customization, allowing customers to infuse their walls with recycled clothing, adding a unique touch.

FabBRICK has collaborated with prestigious names like Galeries Lafayette and Vinci Construction, showcasing their prowess in transforming worksite uniforms into functional stools and lamps. Notably, Merlet is also exploring the potential of creating bricks from shredded surgical masks, a promising venture in addressing pandemic-related waste.

Merlet’s innovation has garnered well-deserved recognition, with accolades like the Faire Paris competition, Petit Poucet 2019, Start’in ESS 2019, and Prix Gabriel 2020.

This sustainable initiative echoes a global trend of repurposing waste into innovative products. Initiatives in India have birthed startups like Malai, producing leather-like material from bacterial cellulose derived from leftover coconut water, and Phool, utilizing floral waste to create vegan-friendly leather alternatives. Moreover, global fashion powerhouse H&M has joined forces with Lee to introduce a sustainable denim collection, incorporating 80% post-industrial waste, while also pioneering Circulose, a fiber made from discarded textiles in partnership with re:newcell.

In a similar vein, Mondelez Philippines and The Plastic Flamingo are teaming up to recycle plastic packaging waste into eco-bricks for disaster relief shelters, illustrating the potential for waste transformation on a larger scale.

Clarisse Merlet’s FabBRICK is a testament to the power of innovation and sustainability, paving the way for a greener, more environmentally-conscious future in construction and waste management.