{"id":338,"date":"2026-02-11T08:16:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T09:16:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gokupara.net\/?p=338"},"modified":"2026-03-02T10:18:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T10:18:55","slug":"how-a-student-led-ciwm-hackathon-took-on-fast-fashions-biggest-failure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gokupara.net\/index.php\/2026\/02\/11\/how-a-student-led-ciwm-hackathon-took-on-fast-fashions-biggest-failure\/","title":{"rendered":"How a\u00a0student-led\u00a0CIWM hackathon took on fast fashion\u2019s biggest failure"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u00a0<\/div>\n

\"Fast<\/p>\n

The global fashion industry discards more than 92 million tonnes of textiles every year. In the UK alone, the volume of unwanted clothing has become so vast that incineration is increasingly used as a last resort. Despite growing awareness, fast fashion\u00a0remains\u00a0locked into a linear system: make, sell, discard.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

It was this challenge that sat at the heart of\u00a0<\/span>Hack the Loop<\/span><\/i>, CIWM\u2019s first-ever academic hackathon focused on fast fashion and the circular economy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Organised by CIWM in collaboration with leading academic and sector partners \u2014 including the University of Exeter Centre for Circular Economy, the University of Leeds, the University of Edinburgh Futures Institute, Circular Economy Innovation Communities, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the Circular Economy Institute \u2014 the virtual event brought together students and early-career professionals to tackle one central question: How can we significantly reduce textile waste and shift fast fashion towards a circular economy \u2014 at scale?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Participants were given just 50 minutes to develop a solution that addressed one or more core problem areas, including material design, value chain optimisation, end-of-life recovery, and consumer behaviour change. Their ideas were judged on collaboration, innovation,\u00a0feasibility\u00a0and impact.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Without legislation or some form of standard setting, brands will continue to greenwash in pursuit of growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The winning concept \u2014 a Circular Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for clothing \u2014 stood out because it\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0just improve the system. It reimagined it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Sammy Smithson \u2014 a member of the winning group and an early-career sustainability professional with a strong interest in circular systems and materials recovery \u2014 the problem\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0theoretical.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt the time of the hackathon, I was working on a project with a domestic waste incineration plant in Leeds,\u201d he explains. \u201cThe reality in the UK is that we\u2019re producing so much throwaway clothing that we now have to burn it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That experience shaped the group\u2019s thinking from the outset.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe simply cannot keep consuming items made from plastics that can\u2019t be recycled,\u201d Smithson says. \u201cWithout legislation or some form of standard setting, brands will continue to greenwash in pursuit of growth.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rather than designing another eco-labelled product or awareness campaign, the team focused on systemic change \u2014 how clothing is valued, returned, and kept in circulation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The winning idea: a circular deposit return scheme for clothing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The group\u2019s proposal applies a familiar concept \u2014 deposit return \u2014 to fashion.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the model, consumers pay a refundable deposit when\u00a0purchasing\u00a0a garment. When that item reaches the end of its usable life, it is returned to the brand in exchange for credit towards a future purchase. <\/span><\/p>\n

The returned clothing is then processed through onshore textile recovery and recycling facilities, with materials fed directly back into new garment production.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In effect, clothing becomes a temporary service, not a disposable product.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Judges praised the model for its clarity and realism. By linking financial incentives with material recovery, the scheme encourages returns, reduces textile waste, builds customer loyalty, and keeps valuable materials in circulation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a form of extended producer responsibility with a service mindset,\u201d noted the judging panel. \u201cBrands retain responsibility for what they put on the market \u2014 and consumers become active participants in the loop.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The biggest challenge was cost [..] does the consumer pay upfront for that retained value \u2014 and how much are they willing to pay?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Developing the idea in just 50 minutes forced the team to confront uncomfortable trade-offs early.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest challenge was cost,\u201d Smithson admits. \u201cProducing garments in this way will\u00a0likely cost\u00a0more initially. The question becomes: does the consumer pay upfront for that\u00a0retained\u00a0value \u2014 and how much are they willing to pay?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There were also material questions. Should\u00a0initial\u00a0garments be made from virgin polymers to ensure compatibility with recycling processes? Or should the system rely on existing waste textiles, which are often blended,\u00a0inconsistent\u00a0and labour-intensive to process?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese aren\u2019t easy decisions,\u201d he says. \u201cBut circularity only works if you deal with reality, not ideal scenarios.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That pragmatic approach reflects the research-led thinking of partners like the University of Exeter\u2019s Centre for Circular Economy, whose work spans fibre innovation, alternative business\u00a0models\u00a0and digital tools that support real-world implementation. Exeter\u2019s collaboration with John Lewis & Partners on a 20-piece circular economy collection\u00a0demonstrated\u00a0how design, recovery and business incentives must align to make circularity\u00a0viable.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learning from the wider ecosystem<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Fast<\/p>\n

Hack the Loop was deliberately structured to connect fresh ideas with existing\u00a0expertise.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Research from the University of Leeds brought a policy and systems perspective, highlighting how circular economy principles must\u00a0operate\u00a0across entire value chains \u2014 from production to consumption to recovery \u2014 and how regional collaboration can support implementation through initiatives like the Yorkshire Circular Lab.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the University of Edinburgh\u2019s Futures Institute, circular economy thinking is embedded through interdisciplinary collaboration between academia, industry and the public sector, helping students and partners explore how circular futures can be practically delivered.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Circular Economy Innovation Communities (CEIC), delivered by Cardiff Metropolitan University and Swansea University, focuses on supporting organisations across Wales to embed circular economy principles, align with Net Zero ambitions and unlock clean growth \u2014 reinforcing that innovation must be backed by funding,\u00a0networks\u00a0and shared learning.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Together, these partners ensured Hack the Loop\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0just a creativity exercise, but a grounded exploration of what circular fashion could realistically become.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Policy,\u00a0politics\u00a0and uncertainty<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

If there was one concern Smithson returned to repeatedly, it was policy stability.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo onshore green technology and build circular manufacturing in the UK, you need long-term investment certainty,\u201d he says. \u201cRight now, political uncertainty is stalling projects across the renewables sector \u2014 and circular textiles face the same risk.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He points to upcoming developments that could shift the landscape, including the UK\u2019s expected circular economy framework and EU requirements for digital product passports for textiles.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese could be genuine step-changes,\u201d Smithson says. \u201cThe technology and\u00a0expertise\u00a0already exist. What we need now is informed policy that enables their use.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Without that, he warns, well-intentioned ideas risk being diluted.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

There\u2019s a danger that companies start strong, then cut corners to remain competitive \u2014 and we sleepwalk into an even bigger waste problem<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a danger that companies start strong, then cut corners to remain competitive \u2014 and we sleepwalk into an even bigger waste problem.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Smithson, one of the most valuable outcomes came after the event itself. A follow-up discussion with CIWM and guest judge John\u00a0Twitchen\u00a0from Stuff4Life allowed the team to explore licensing models, funding routes and how circular manufacturing could support regional growth and productivity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was reassuring to see how aligned our thinking was,\u201d Smithson says. \u201cNot just on the technology, but on the wider economic opportunity.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That alignment reflects the role of the Circular Economy Institute, a hackathon partner working globally to support professionals and organisations transitioning from linear to circular systems. Through expert-led training, applied learning and an international community of practitioners, the Institute focuses on translating circular economy principles into real-world practice.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CEI are also set to launch a new professional membership offering, designed to support people working in the circular economy with recognition, development and peer connection as the field continues to mature.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Hack the Loop matters<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hackathons are often seen as short-lived idea generators.\u00a0<\/span>Hack the Loop<\/span><\/i>\u00a0challenged that\u00a0perception\u00a0by focusing on\u00a0feasible, scalable solutions grounded in material reality, policy\u00a0awareness\u00a0and economic logic.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By giving students and early-career professionals a platform \u2014 and connecting them directly with researchers,\u00a0practitioners\u00a0and policymakers \u2014 CIWM and its partners\u00a0demonstrated\u00a0the value of fresh perspectives in tackling entrenched problems.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Smithson puts it: \u201cThe circular economy\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0optional anymore.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0the only sustainable way forward. The question is whether we design systems that\u00a0actually work\u00a0\u2014 or keep managing the consequences when they\u00a0don\u2019t.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information on the partners supporting the hackathon and their work in textiles circularity, visit:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cardiff Metropolitan & Swansea University Clean Growth Innovation Programme<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Circular Futures at the University of Edinburgh<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Exeter Centre for Circular Economy<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yorkshire Circular Lab<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Circular Economy Institute<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The post How a\u00a0student-led\u00a0CIWM hackathon took on fast fashion\u2019s biggest failure<\/a> appeared first on Circular Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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