Every day, dairies dispose of milk that for one reason or another is deemed unfit for human consumption. A Los Angeles-based startup by the name of Mi Terro is taking some of that milk and using it to create T-shirts, that reportedly have some big advantages over regular cotton Tees.<\/p>\n
The process starts by obtaining waste milk that gets fermented and then skimmed, removing its fat content. It is subsequently dewatered, resulting in a powdered milk that gets purified to remove all substances other than a naturally-occurring protein known as casein.<\/p>\n
The powdered casein is next immersed in alkali, producing a solution that is passed through a spinneret to create fibers. Sulfuric acid is then used to remove the alkali from those fibers, which are finally stretched and spun into yarn.<\/p>\n
Made out of that yarn, the company’s machine-washable Limitless Milk Shirt is said to have a soft, silk-like feel, while also being antibacterial, wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking, UV-blocking, and stretchable in every direction. Additionally, thanks to micro-pockets in the material, the shirt reportedly traps odors and allows for optimized airflow, helping to keep the wearer cool and non-stinky.<\/p>\n
According to Mi Terro, every five shirts represent one glass of milk that would otherwise have been wasted.<\/p>\n