The School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) and the Research and Innovation Office (RIO) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) hosted the second Garment Recycling Day, building on the success of last year’s inaugural event. Prof. Christina Wong, Director of Research and Innovation, delivered the opening remarks, warmly thanking all participants and partners for their contributions to advancing sustainable practices in fashion.
Prof. Magnum Lam, Assistant Professor of SFT, introduced the partners of this year’s event, which was organized in collaboration with Christian Action, Friends of the Earth (HK), Redress, The Conservancy Association, The Salvation Army, Bright Sun Global Enterprise Ltd, and Lace Society. Their collective participation reflected a strong commitment to promoting sustainable fashion and reducing textile waste.
Event Highlights
* Unwanted Garment Collection — Attendees donated clothing for redistribution and recycling, with a hands-on sorting activity to categorize garments into tops and bottoms, as well as winter and summer wear. (Supported by Friends of the Earth (HK), The Salvation Army)
* Swap Meet — A lively exchange where participants traded garments, extending their life cycle. (Supported by Redress)
* Games & Workshop Experiences — Interactive sessions encouraged creative thinking about sustainability and practical recycling skills. (Supported by Friends of the Earth (HK), The Conservancy Association, The Salvation Army, Bright Sun Global Enterprise Ltd, Lace Society)
– Fai Chun Lace Design — Participants created festive lace designs to be presented to elderly residents in Sham Shui Po as a Chinese New Year blessing.
– Upcycling Lace Brooch Design — A workshop led by SFT students guided attendees in handcrafting brooches using lace materials from the Lace Bank, showcasing creative reuse and upcycling.
– Fishing Game, Power Throw and Upcycling Workshop — Playful activities reinforced participants’ recycling knowledge, combining fun with interactive learning.
* Educational Showcase — Exhibits spotlighted the environmental impact of textile waste and showcased solutions for a circular fashion economy. (Supported by Christian Action, Friends of the Earth (HK), Redress, The Conservancy Association, The Salvation Army)
Looking Ahead
Garment Recycling Day 2026 demonstrated how collaboration between academia, community groups, and industry partners can transform awareness into action. With enthusiastic participation from the PolyU community and strong support from partner organizations, the event underscored the importance of circular fashion practices and set the stage for future initiatives to reduce textile waste and inspire sustainable lifestyles.
