National Hackathon Circular Economy 2024: Towards slow fashion

Monday 5 February the National Hackathon Circular Economy is about to begin! 250 students from the whole country (mbo, hbo or wo) with a passion for circularity will work together for innovative ideas to ensure that we shift from fast fashion to slow fashion. 

During the National Hackathon Circular Economy, they work in teams to develop the best solution for a big challenge: accelerating the movement from fast fashion to slow fashion. Join forces with other students from all over the Netherlands, follow (online) expert workshops and pitch your ideas at the Grande Finale on February 9th!

Aftermovie NHCE 2024

Why slow fashion?

Over the years, clothing has become so cheap that we have come to regard it as a disposable product. Yearly, more than a hundred billion (!) garments are produced. Most of these garments end up in either landfills or incinerators within a year. And if the garments bought by a consumer, they are on average worn no more than 7 times in total. (BNNVARA, 2018)

The fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of global emissions (BBC, 2022), due to the use of natural resources and the emission of greenhouse gas. Aditionally, human rights are still violated in this industry. To create a sustainable and just world, transitioning to a slow fashion industry is essential. 

The NHCE2024 cases

This year's NHCE has two case holders: H&M and New Optimist. 

• H&M is a Swedish fashion giant with almost 2000 stores worldwide. Their case focusses on scaling options for rental. 
• New Optimist is a circular fashion pioneer that focusses on closing the loop. Their case focusses 'Statiegeld' (deposit) and the options a digital passport to support the statiegeld-system. 

Unlock your potential with our workshops!

At NHCE2024, we've got you and your team covered with daily workshops led by experts. Each morning, you dive into circular fashion, prototyping, pitching, and more. Also, entrepreneurs in the circular field generously share their stories, motivations and experiences with you. The workshops are supportive to the challenge and will provide you with new insights. 

Programme

The National Hackathon is from Monday 5 to Friday 9 February. This year's programme is stacked with inspiration and knowledge. Good to know:

• Between workshops and inspiration talks, you'll have time for group work.
• There is an optional check-in every day in which you can get some extra information from your facilitator. 
• If you cannot attend one of the workshops, make sure one of your teammates is going to get the information you need.
• Workshops & inspiration talks will be held online, participants receive all the right links to the sessions before the Hackathon. The Grande Finale is live at Fashion for Good in Amsterdam. 
• We invite you to join all workshops & inspiration talks to enrich your solution. 

Grande Finale

On February 9th, the Grande Finale takes place at Fashion for Good in Amsterdam. During the finale, each regions' best team(s) pitch their ideas to an expert jury, who will pick the winner of the National Hackathon Circular Economy 2024. 

Do you want to join us during the finale? Sign up (for free) on our Eventbrite!

The teams

We are excited to show you this years' Finalists and their ideas:

New Optimist case:

• F&G Circularity (Windesheim & InHolland): We create a platform called Your Sustainable Wardrobe. This platform combines product passports, styling options, repair/swap options and locations. In this way, shopping sustainable is easy. 
• Sexy Sustainability (Avans): Make it sexy, make it visual, make the QR code part of the design so you can wear sustainability as a fashion statement.
• Point of No Return (Hogeschool Zuyd): Preventing returns by offering the ability to put on and match clothes with your own and other New Optimist clothing through AR technology. In doing so, we offer additional information regarding repairs and repair locations.
• Renewed Optimists (Hogeschool Rotterdam): Add our new designed passport stamps to the digital passports, in a new account platform with a point/ level system. Collect these stamps and receive privileges or extras. To create engagement among the target group.
• The Changemakers (Hogeschool Rotterdam): We are proposing a collection that makes the brand logo more visible on the clothing items in order to build brand recognition. The QR code for the statiegeld will also be placed on the exterior together with the logo and as an optimization it will include information about the cost of waste in case the customer does not return the item.

H&M case:

• YuCirculair (Yuverta): To expand, scale, and reach more customers, there is only one solution that really works; it can only happen when the clothing is reused time and time again. And in good plain Tilburg language: “we doen het opnieuw”. Which translates to Up-New!
• EcoClean Innovators (Hogeschool Rotterdam): To escalate H&M rental service exclusively in Amsterdam, Eco Clean Innovators aims to implement green dry-cleaning to comply with sustainable goals and attract targeted customers.
• Humble&Mooi (Firda, RUG & NHL Stenden): A revolutionary rental service by the H&M group, specializing in eco-friendly, hygienic apparel for newborns and expecting mothers. Let’s reshape fashion with purpose and advocate for mindful consumption to create a brighter future, and let’s bring back donating activities!
• Atelier by H&M (Firda, RUG & NHL Stenden): Build an entire outfit to look your best at parties and events with the help of a digital stylist that tailors to your needs. Let’s make a change on the way to a circular economy, by renting your one-time-wear outfit instead of buying.

Our expert jury

During the Grande Finale, experts from the field of circular textile will assess your ideas. The jury consists of: 

The NHCE 2024-team

The National Hackathon Circular Economy is organised by an interdisciplinary team:

Coördinated by: 

Made possible by: 

In co-creation with: