Addressing the Fashion Waste Crisis
Statistics from the Made in Canada initiative reveal a stark reality in the apparel industry: just 1 percent of clothing gets recycled into new garments, while roughly 87 percent of textile fibers end up in landfills or incinerators. To tackle this issue, Elaine Chatwood, coordinator of the fashion design technician program at St. Clair College, launched a nationwide competition inviting high school students to innovate with sustainable practices.
“The fashion sector is increasingly adopting sustainable business models,” Chatwood explained. “We’ve integrated these principles into our curriculum to prepare students for industry demands.”
The Competition’s Focus on Circular Fashion
The contest emphasizes extending the lifecycle of clothing through circular use, minimizing waste at every stage. Participants design outfits from upcycled garments, fabrics, and everyday found objects, promoting reuse over disposal.
Sophia Pare, a student from Walkerville Collegiate Institute, captures the event’s ethos: “Throwing out your clothes is a waste.” She hopes the challenge inspires peers to prioritize sustainability from the outset. “I hope they learn that we should think of sustainability right from the beginning,” Pare added.
Chatwood stresses the importance of material choices: “From the design phase, select organic, natural, or recycled fabrics to reduce environmental impact.”
Creative Upcycling in Action
Pare draws inspiration from local thrift stores, transforming overlooked items into fresh designs. “I like to take old sheets from the thrift store and use them as fabric for my clothes,” she shared. With years of experimenting in upcycled fashion, she’s eager for this opportunity.
For her entry, Pare plans to repurpose an old pair of jeans by cinching the waist and crafting bellbottoms from patterned sheet fabric. She’ll pair it with a coordinating top. “I’m going to take an old pair of jeans and cinch them in, then make bellbottoms using extra fabric from a sheet—hopefully it’s patterned,” she detailed.
Pare views clothing as part of an ongoing cycle: “Whenever you’re done with your clothes, put them in a bag and sell them to a thrift store like Goodwill. It’s a cycle that can replenish itself. Just because you don’t want something doesn’t mean someone else can’t use it or turn it into something new.”
Environmental Benefits and Submission Details
Made in Canada data highlights the resource intensity of production, noting that manufacturing a single pair of jeans requires over 3,700 liters of water—from cotton cultivation to store delivery. Chatwood advocates for upcycling as a landfill alternative: “Opt for higher-quality, natural, or recycled materials. They may cost more upfront, but consider the cost per wear for long-term value.”
All submissions must result in fully wearable, runway-ready outfits. St. Clair College faculty will select the top three designs for display at the college’s Atelier Fashion Show in April. Entries are due by March 2, 2026.
