The Beginning of Life

Pre-Production Waste in the Apparel Industry

The Challenge

The second hackathon (H2) in our series focuses on the theme ‘The Beginning of Life.’ This theme emphasizes designing textiles and garments with circular principles at the core, ensuring products are durable, reparable, and recyclable. By innovating at the start of the lifecycle, participants can minimize future waste and create sustainable solutions that align with circular economy goals. H2 will challenge participants to reimagine the beginning of the supply chain with a focus on Bangladeshi context and challenges.

Themes

Natural Fibres, Dyes, and Second Life Design

Products at the beginning of life should be designed with a second life in mind, using sustainable materials and processes. In the Bangladeshi context, this includes utilizing natural fibers like jute, cotton, and silk, as well as traditional non-toxic dyes that reduce environmental harm. Participants can explore creating garments designed for repurposing or biodegradation. Additionally, supporting practices like hand-weaving is vital—not just for reducing emissions but also for preserving the livelihood and traditions of local weavers. Collaboration with foreign stakeholders such as global brands and designers can bring technical expertise, market access, and resources to help scale these innovations while promoting sustainable Bangladeshi craftsmanship on an international stage.

Facilitating Co-Creation in Design

Collaboration is essential for circular innovation, particularly in Bangladesh’s textile sector. Participants are encouraged to develop systems that connect local manufacturers, designers, and artisans to co-create sustainable solutions. This could include digital platforms for idea-sharing or partnerships that bring together traditional craftsmanship with modern production techniques. Engaging with diverse stakeholders—including foreign brands and international designers—early in the design process can ensure that solutions meet global standards while maintaining local relevance. These collaborations can also help bridge the gap between traditional practices and contemporary market demands.

Tradition and Heritage Lessons

Bangladesh’s rich heritage in textiles offers invaluable lessons for circularity. Participants can explore how traditional methods, such as the use of non-toxic dyes and hand-weaving techniques, can lower the ecological footprint of production. Integrating these practices with modern innovations, like closed-loop water systems or digital prototyping, can create new opportunities for sustainable manufacturing while celebrating Bangladeshi craftsmanship. Involving foreign stakeholders can amplify the impact of these efforts by introducing global audiences to the value of Bangladeshi heritage and opening up new pathways for collaboration and innovation.

Focus Points

Hackathon Journey

From Kickoff to Awards

28 April 2025

10:00 - 13:00

Roadshow 1: BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT)

TBA

10:00 - 13:00

Roadshow 2: Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST)

TBA

11:59

Registration Deadline

TBA

11:59 - 13:00

Selection Announcement

TBA

10:00 – 13:00

Workshop 1

TBA

08:00 – 17:00

Field Trip

TBA

10:00 – 13:00

Workshop 2

TBA

10:00 – 13:00

Workshop 3

TBA

10:00 – 13:00

Workshop 4

TBA

10:00 – 13:00

The Finale

Solution Areas

Product Design

This sub-theme focusses on creating new products using post-consumer waste that are durable, repairable, can be repurposed and recyclable to reduce landfill waste. Product design challenges include:

  • Modular and Repairable Design: In the post consumption phase how can we easily recycle, repair, and repurpose items? E.g. developing repairable designs of zippers or buttons on jeans (Beall, 2022).

  • Material Innovation: Can we create new materials using post-consumer waste? E.g. using waste textiles in new products such as car insulation (Jordan, 2023).

  • Second-life clothing: Can we create new clothing lines using post-consumer waste? E.g developing felt from textile waste to create bags (i-did,2024)
Process Design

This sub-theme focusses on developing new processes to manage postconsumer waste. Process design focusses on developing new supply chain mechanics that will allow post-consumer waste processing to be more efficient, less energy-consuming and allows for more materials to be recycled, re-used or remanufactured.

  • Circular Supply Chain: Can we promote sustainable sourcing and material reintegration post consumption? E.g. H&M's "Take Care" program and Adidas' "Futurecraft.Loop" sneaker

  • Second-life Manufacturing: Can we innovate the technical processes used to manage post-consumer waste? E.g. develop new ways of recycling and partnerships with other industries for re-use.
  • Efficiency in Production: Can we reduce energy consumed and emissions created during waste processing? E.g. Using new technologies like thermo-mechanical recycling (Hedrich et al, 2022)
Circular Tech and Marketplace

This sub-theme focusses on connecting local and international RMG stakeholders to harmonize shared aspirations to adopt circular design principles. Circular tech and marketplace challenges include:

  • Digital Thrift Stores and Re-Commerce: Can we create new digital platforms that offer post-consumer waste products? E.g. Platforms like ThredUp and Depop promote the extension of garment lifecycles and circular consumption.

  • Upcycling and Customization strategies: Can we develop new upcycling platforms and offer customized services? E.g. The Renewal Workshop collects damaged & used garments for brands, and cleans, repairs and resells them to consumers through a branded recommerce site.

  • AI and Big Data in Circular Fashion: Can we optimize data and forecasting to optimize the post-consumer supply chain? E.g. Fashion Genome Project by Loomia and Reverse Resources' recycling technologies, optimizes recycling processes and predicts trends.

Focus Points

Hackathon Journey

From Kickoff to Awards

27 November

10:00 - 13:00

Workshop 1: Introduction to Textile Waste and Problem Identification.

30 November

10:00 - 13:00

Workshop 2: Creative Problem Solving and Concept Development.

07 December

10:00 - 13:00

Workshop 3: Prototyping and Iterative Design.

12 December

10:00 - 13:00

Workshop 4: Testing and Final Presentations.

Hackathon Timeline

From Kickoff to Awards

How We Assess Your Innovations

The evaluation will focus on several key aspects to ensure solutions are innovative, feasible and impactful. The criteria include:

Innovation

Originality of the solution and its potential impact on waste reduction.

Scalability

The ability to implement the solution on a larger scale.

Environmental Impact

The effectiveness of the solution in reducing environmental footprint.

Economic Viability

The cost-effectiveness of implementing the solution.

User Adoption

Evaluates the ease with which the end-user can adopt the solution.

Social Impact

Assesses the positive effects of the solution on communities & society at large.

Meet the Judges

Our judges bring diverse expertise from the worlds of academia, industry, and sustainability, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of entries.

Ronald Richards

CEO, Imaginary Company

Marvin McKinney

CEO, Imaginary Company

Theresa Webb

CEO, Imaginary Company

Arlene McCoy

CEO, Imaginary Company

Bessie Cooper

CEO, Imaginary Company

Jenny Wilson

CEO, Imaginary Company

Wade Warren

CEO, Imaginary Company

Brooklyn Simmons

CEO, Imaginary Company

Join Us

Application will open soon for 2025 Cohort 02