Circular Economy : Fashion circularity takes centre stage at CIWM hackathon
The waste management sector continues to drive innovation and sustainable solutions through collaborative initiatives that advance circularity across challenging industries. The recent Hack the Loop Hackathon, organised by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), exemplifies this commitment by bringing together emerging talent to tackle one of the most pressing environmental challenges: textile waste from the fast fashion industry.
Last week's hackathon showcased the power of fresh perspectives in addressing complex waste streams. Group 5, comprising Sammy Smithson, Bhavna Palli, and Lily Dunkley, emerged victorious with their proposal for a Circular Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for Clothing. Facilitated by industry expert Gary Walpole, the team developed a brand-level system designed to incentivise consumers to return garments at the end of their lifecycle in exchange for deposit refunds applicable to future purchases.
Innovative mechanisms for textile recovery
The mechanics of the proposed scheme demonstrate practical thinking about consumer behaviour and environmental outcomes. Under this model, consumers purchasing a garment would pay an upfront deposit—for instance, a £100 t-shirt might include a £50 refundable credit. When the clothing reaches the end of its useful life, customers return it to the brand and receive their deposit back as store credit. Returned garments undergo domestic processing, which minimises global shipping impacts and enhances traceability. The materials are then recycled into new fibres for producing fresh garments that reflect current trends and styles, effectively closing the loop in a responsible fashion cycle.
Advancing sustainable resource management
The judging panel offered enthusiastic endorsement of the concept, recognising its alignment with emerging regulatory frameworks and business models. Katarina Rimarcikova, FHEA, highlighted the scheme's compatibility with industry trends, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the transition toward servitisation, where companies provide circular services rather than single-transaction products. She characterised the proposal as a "smart, scalable approach that creates a continuous, circular production loop" and positions brands as responsible stewards of their products.
John Twitchen emphasised the concept's close alignment with future EPR systems, enabling manufacturers to maintain responsibility for their products beyond the point of sale. Michael Cusack praised the scheme for its simplicity and financial viability, describing it as an effective mechanism to treat textiles as a resource rather than waste, thereby significantly reducing emissions.
Closing the loop: Building future expertise
Beyond generating sustainable solutions for products that would otherwise enter the waste stream, the hackathon served a critical function in connecting resources and waste sector knowledge with students. This type of engagement proves essential for addressing the growing skills gap within the sector and cultivating the next generation of waste management and circular economy professionals.
The winning team will be featured on CIWM's Circular Online news platform and will receive an exclusive mentorship opportunity with an industry expert, offering valuable insights into career development or further refinement of their concept.
The hackathon was delivered through a partnership involving the Circular Economy Institute, Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd, CEIC Wales, University of Leeds, University of Exeter, Exeter Centre for Circular Economy, and The University of Edinburgh, demonstrating the collaborative spirit required to drive meaningful change in waste management practices.