Reshaping the fashion industry's environmental footprint
Sabine Weber, MES, PHD'98
Sabine Weber (MES '15, PhD '22) stands out as a trailblazer in sustainable fashion and textile waste management in Canada. Her journey into this impactful field began with a book on sustainable fashion that revealed the significant environmental toll of the industry. This eye-opening discovery inspired Sabine to deepen her expertise in textile waste at the University of Waterloo, where she earned both her 'master's and PhD in the School of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability. Her research focused on how Social Innovation can help to transition the fashion industry towards sustainability, for example, by tackling the problem of textile waste.
Sabine's work has earned her a place in the spotlight, with numerous publications and media appearances addressing issues such as textile recycling, waste management, or greenwashing. Her new interest is how to address the overconsumption of clothes to avoid even producing waste.
Her dedication to practical environmental solutions has led to initiatives such as the Ontario Textile Diversion Collaborative. At UWaterloo, she thrived in courses that encouraged systemic and innovative thinking, which laid the foundation for her impactful career.
Sabine is now a professor at Seneca 'Polytechnic's School of Fashion, where she spearheads several applied research projects funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) or by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). She also plays a key role in the Canadian Circular Textiles Consortium (CCTC), where she leads the marketing group to drive consumer behavior towards sustainable fashion choices. Her work unites stakeholders from industry, government, and academia, showcasing her leadership and vision.
In addition to her research and teaching, Sabine is committed to raising awareness and shaping national policies. Her work has also extended to mentoring and educating future leaders in sustainability at Seneca Polytechnic and through her business, Sustainable Strategies & Solutions.
Through her work and advocacy, Sabine continues to challenge norms and inspire others to join her in reshaping the fashion industry's environmental footprint. It is for this excellent work and impact that Sabine has been named the 2024 Recent Alumni Inspiration Award winner.
