Birmingham City University
The Circular Economy Initiative
Finalist, Creating Impact
About
This Circular Textiles Initiative demonstrates how Birmingham City University delivers significant sustainability and employability outcomes using minimal resources through circular fashion and textiles initiatives. With limited staffing, budget, and time, the project embeds reuse, repair, and upcycling into curriculum delivery, student support, and community engagement. Activities included a lanyard upcycling scheme, a project which gave rags a new lease of life, and collaboration with Birmingham Hospice which developed skills around circular economy principles. Alongside this, the Workwear Wardrobe incitive provides students with free interview clothing through a fully circular model, reducing procurement needs while addressing equality and employability barriers. Theses project generated student work placements and strengthened our external partnerships. By aligning sustainability with employability and education, the initiative has achieved measurable environmental, social, and educational impact from a low resource base.
Top 3 learnings
- I learned that meaningful sustainability impact can be achieved with minimal funding through
creative cross-departmental collaboration. - I learned embedding sustainability into employability increases student engagement, confidence,
and real-world skill development. - I learned circular economy projects succeed when designed to be simple, accessible, and
community led.
What it means to win
It would mean a lot! Colleagues, students and partners have worked really hard on this initiative, so it would be wonderful to have their work recognised with a Green Gown Award.
Sustainable Development Goals
| 2026 | |
| Creating Impact | |
| Finalist, UK and Ireland |
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