Every day, the global citrus industry produces mountains of waste: billions of tons of leftover peels and pulp from juice extraction. Most of my immediate family lives in Florida now, and I’ve seen his waste first-hand. In nature, waste doesn’t exist; everything is a resource. So, what if we applied that wisdom—the principle of biomimicry—to the industrial challenge of food waste?
Enter Orange Fiber, an Italian company (from Sicily – where my ancestors are from!) that has cracked the code on circular fashion.
The Problem of Waste, Solved by Nature
Orange Fiber developed an innovative, patented process to extract the cellulose fiber that still exists within citrus juice by-products. They take the material left over from juicing and, through bio-based chemistry, transform it into a refined, high-quality fabric. The result is a refined, ethereal, and sensorial fabric that feels like a beautiful silk.
This is biomimicry in action: Nature’s design principle is to create closed-loop systems, and Orange Fiber has designed a zero-waste textile solution right inside a juice factory.
Why This is More Than Just a Fabric
This is a story of value creation and a new definition of luxury in the modern world.
Sustainable Innovation: It dramatically reduces agricultural waste and reliance on non-renewable resources (like petroleum-based synthetic fabrics).
Professional Validation: Since its launch, Orange Fiber has quickly scaled, partnering with brands like Salvatore Ferragamo, H&M Conscious Exclusive, and E. Marinella. If they trust the quality, the model is scalable.
The Secret is Simple: The success of Orange Fiber is a perfect example of a deep, simple secret often overlooked in product design: the solution is often hiding in plain sight, waiting to be repurposed.
The work of Orange Fiber reminds us that every challenge we face—from environmental pollution to resource depletion—can be solved by looking to the design wisdom of the natural world. It proves that the most beautiful, sustainable solutions are often discovered when we choose curiosity and embrace the design mindset of, “How can we make something beautiful while also protecting the natural world we all depend upon for survival?”
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
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Christa Avampato 