Home > Courses > S24 3397 | Sustainable Design (Full Course) > Santiago Kennedy
Denimite Hanger
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IS23 3397 | Sustainable Design (Full Course)
Min Kang & Jeff Feng
Santiago Kennedy
The Denimite Hanger transforms discarded denim into durable hangers using recycled fibers and zero-VOC resin. Inspired by skeletal structures, the design balances strength with minimal material use. A 3D-printed prototype and mold process validate its durability. Users are encouraged to recycle denim through free shipping labels and a reward system—making sustainability easy, engaging, and circular.
Research
Denim is a widely used material with a short consumer lifecycle and limited end-of-use solutions. Most denim products are discarded without being repurposed, contributing to textile waste and environmental strain. This project investigates how design can intervene—transforming post-consumer denim into durable, functional products while making recycling accessible and rewarding for users.
Globally, over 2.16 million metric tons of denim are discarded each year—most of it ending up in landfills. Producing a single pair of jeans consumes more than 3,780 liters of water, making denim one of the most resource-intensive textiles. These insights highlight a major opportunity to intercept denim waste and give it a second life through circular design
System Mapping & Life Cycle Assesment
Sunglasses Circular economy
This concept reimagines the lifecycle of sunglasses through a closed-loop system that benefits both users and the planet
♻️ Recycle:
Users return old sunglasses for free to be remade into new ones.
🎁 Rewards:
Earn discounts and free products by recycling and referring friends.
💸 Initial Investment:
A slightly higher price covers remanufacturing and shipping costs.
Changing Lifestyles & Target Behavior
This project uses persuasive design to encourage sustainable habits around sunglasses. By making recycling easy—through prepaid shipping labels—and offering real-time feedback on environmental impact, users gain both ability and motivation to act.
A single pair of jeans requires over 3,780 liters of water to produce, and globally, more than 2.16 million metric tons of denim are discarded annually—most ending up in landfills. Interviews revealed that while most people own 3–4 pairs of jeans, they dispose of one each year, and only half attempt to recycle or reuse them. This highlights a clear gap in sustainable disposal and reuse practices.
Ideation & Final Design
The design process began with exploring ways to repurpose denim waste into functional objects. Early concepts included lamps, wine bags, and climbing gear, but the hanger stood out for its everyday utility and potential for circular impact. Using shredded denim fibers and zero-VOC resin, the material—Denimite—was developed for strength and durability.
Inspired by biomimicry, the hanger’s form draws from rib cages and clavicle bones to maximize structural integrity with minimal material. The final prototype was shaped through 3D printing and silicone molding, resulting in a sleek, resilient hanger that gives discarded jeans a second life in the closet.
Sustainability Strategy
This project reimagines denim waste as a durable material for everyday use. By combining recycled fibers with zero-VOC resin, the Denimite Hanger offers a sustainable, circular alternative to traditional plastic hangers—designed for strength, simplicity, and environmental impact.
The Denimite hanger uses recycled denim and zero-VOC resin to extend product life and reduce textile waste. Inspired by biomimicry, its rib-like structure adds strength while minimizing material. The process is designed to be user-friendly—offering free shipping for denim returns, real-time impact feedback, and rewards for recycling and referrals.
Building Sustainable Design Education.