| Abstract |
This study investigates the repurposing of waste wool, a byproduct of sheep farming typically unsuitable for textile applications, into dryer ball prototypes. Wool, a keratin-based protein fiber with unique structural properties, has declined to 1.1% of the global fiber market due to competition from synthetic fibers. Using wet felting techniques, the researchers developed four dryer ball prototypes—natural, single-color, multicolor, and sheep-icon designs—which were marketed via Etsy.com through a junior level Visual Merchandising and Promotion course at a large Western University. The multicolor variety demonstrated the highest consumer demand, selling out of inventory first. However, challenges such as inconsistent dyeing, difficulties in applying heat-transferred designs, and the labor-intensive production process, requiring 45 minutes per unit, constrained scalability. Despite these limitations, the project underscores the potential of waste wool as a sustainable resource for niche products and highlights the need for further research to improve efficiency in production processes. |
, Imranul Islam 
