Fast fashion solutions to be explored in the 2021 Provost’s Innovation Challenge
Posted on: 02 November 2021
Students can sign up here to take part in the Hackathon before the 10th November and can submit ideas directly here before the 4th November.
Trinity students and staff have voted to explore solutions to the problem of fast fashion over an intensive and fun hackathon weekend on 12th – 14th November.
Fast Fashion was selected as the most compelling social problem to be addressed for the 2021 Provost Challenge @Tangent. The other options were Covid and the Arts, Student Accommodation and Natural Disasters.
Clothing production is the third biggest manufacturing industry and contributes to more climate change than international aviation and shipping combined. More than $500bn is lost annually due to underutilisation of clothing and lack of recycling. 8% of global carbon emissions is caused by the fashion industry, with nearly 70 million barrels of oil used each year to make the world’s polyester fibre. Fast Fashion is a major problem facing society today, with emerging markets enduring most of the human cost.
Provost Linda Doyle said:
“The college community has voted to address fast fashion as this year’s Provost’s challenge which is a strong indicator of the importance that we attach to finding urgent solutions to the human and environmental costs of the fast fashion industry. I would really encourage students who think they can find innovative solutions to this problem to get involved in this year’s hackathon on 12th -14th November. Looking forward to meeting you there. “
The Provost Challenge @Tangent asks students to address the Fast Fashion problem from multiple perspectives and to break it down into manageable ideas and solutions for a new product or service at the 3-day Hackathon weekend from 12th -14th November.
The focus is on finding creative, feasible, and sustainable solutions.
The best solutions will also compete for a €3,000 cash prize to develop their idea even further. Students can get involved in the challenge as a team (4-5 people) or as an individual.
Previous challenges have focused on homelessness, sustainable cities, and single-use plastics. Many successes have grown out of the Provost’s Challenge including Aquahomes, a fast solution to the housing shortage utilising decommissioned boats, and Rezero, an upcycling platform aimed at the circular economy with a focus on furniture. Both teams went on to gain places on LaunchBox, Tangent’s Student Accelerator, receiving €10K in equity-free funding.
You can seek further information by visiting the Tangent website or by contacting Alison Treacy, Student Startup & Innovation Manager Alison.Treacy@tcd.ie