Environment and fashion

Danit Peleg, an Israeli designer, used 3D printing to create a personalized and waste-free fashion collection for her graduation project at Shankar College of Engineering and Design. She uses affordable 3D printers to produce clothes sold on her online shop, promoting a circular and cleaner supply chain.

Julian Ellis Brown from the UK, co-founder of Ponda, developed Biopuff, a sustainable alternative to down made from bulrushes, which sequester carbon and recultivate soil. Brown and his team created a method to extract a soft filler from the plant’s bulbs, earning them the Global Change Award. Jessica Chang from Hong Kong focuses on upcycling secondhand clothing. Her award-winning collection “PCEs” emphasizes zero waste patterns and recycled textiles, showcasing the potential of discarded fabrics.

The average British adult owns 118 clothing items, with a quarter remaining unworn for a year. We buy 60% more clothing than 15 years ago and keep each item for only half as long. The global fashion industry produces over 100 billion items of clothing annually. Consumers are encouraged to consider upcycling and making more sustainable choices, evaluating their current wardrobe before purchasing new items.