Textiles Upcycle Challenge
Are you a creative thinker who is interested in environmentalism? Traditional recycling is focused on plastic, glass and paper waste, but textiles form a huge part of the garbage that goes to landfill. Uniforms are just one of the many examples of clothing that is routinely thrown in the garbage. In this challenge sponsored by Mary Kay you must propose an innovative way that textile companies can create a “circular” model that encourages companies to re-use and re-purpose old uniforms.
“When we talk about the need for recycling, most of us think about reusing glass bottles and keeping plastic bottles from polluting the ocean. That kind of recycling is incredibly important, but there are other parts of the economy where reuse and recycling – or upcycling – are equally critical. Take fashion, for example. Or, more specifically, that most utilitarian form of fashion: uniforms.
There are countless reasons why organizations – academic, security, military, service industry, corporate, athletic, and the list goes on – may require a uniform. Uniforms create a consistent and professional appearance, they're easily recognized, and they promote unity.
But what happens when you are no longer a part of an organization or it’s time for a refresh? Those perfectly good articles of clothing are more than likely doomed for the landfill.
Globally, it’s estimated that 80% of discarded textiles wind up in landfills. That earns the clothing and textiles industry the #2 spot on the list of the worst-polluting industries, second ony to the petrochemical industry. Making matters worse, the clothing that does end up in landfills can sit there decomposing for 200-plus years and emitting methane – a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon – into the air as it decomposes.
A few large-scale companies have taken steps towards creating a “closed-loop” manufacturing process, collecting and repurposing old uniforms rather than wasting the materials. But not nearly enough action has been taken. To put things in perspective, just in Britain alone, some 33.4 million uniforms are purchased annually – and less than 5% of uniforms are recycled.
What can we do to fight this? Create a "circular" economy where systems aim to eliminate waste through continual use and reuse of resources. When reuse, recycling, repair, refurbishment, or remanufacturing are promoted, we end up with a sustainable circular system.
Your challenge is to consider the different types of actions that organizations, communities, or governments can take to encourage the upcycling of unwanted clothing, especially uniforms, to generate less waste and create a circular economy around the clothing and textile industry.”
How do I get started? Click here.
How do I expand this narrative arc? Check out these other sustainability-focused and fashion-related options:
Ensure everyone can wear the latest prom fashion without spending too much with Operation Prom Dress.
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) Challenge.
Enter a national fashion up cycling challenge sponsored by Mary Kay cosmetics.
HOT TIP: There are a lot of fantastic spin-off ideas here that you can bring to your local community. Think big in the challenge, and then think small to really make an impact!