Estrategias de diseño sustentables mediante el uso de residuos de denim para el sector del calzado artesanal en Tungurahua

Abstract

This research focuses on the analysis and use of denim waste generated in textile workshops, with the aim of evaluating its technical and productive feasibility for the manufacture of handmade footwear in Tungurahua. Handcrafted footwear is a strategic productive sector that mainly uses leather and synthetic materials, so the incorporation of denim scraps represents a sustainable alternative that provides environmental, economic, and cultural value. The work is justified by the problem identified in textile workshops, where between 15 and 50 kilograms of denim scraps are generated each month, most of which are discarded, incinerated, or stored without sorting. This waste has a weight of between 11 and 14 ounces and technical characteristics suitable for reuse, so its use can reduce environmental impact and strengthen the circular economy in the region. The methodology applied included semi-structured interviews with textile workshops, shoemakers, and experts in the field, as well as technical observation sheets. The results showed that the material is available, artisans are willing to use it, and denim is compatible with artisanal processes such as patchwork, module creation, vivid textures, braiding, and mixing with other materials. Likewise, a growing market interest in sustainable products was identified. Finally, the proposal developed proposes sustainable design strategies to integrate denim waste into footwear components, reinforcing the artisanal identity and promoting production models aligned with sustainability and the circular economy