Innovation Challenge
Innovation Challenge
How would you reinvent a school blazer to give it a new life?
What is the Innovation Challenge? The Innovation Challenge is a competition which will get you working in teams and using your imagination and creativity to answer the following question, set by our Sustainability Managers:
How would you reinvent a school blazer to give it a new life?
Real world problem We want you to think about waste. There are more than 7 billion people on Earth and we’re producing waste every day. By 2050, there will be more than 9 billion people on the planet and more people, means more waste. This is a problem for our environment because we will use up more natural resources and we’ll have to find places for all our waste to go. The United Nations has set 17 goals known as the ‘Sustainable Development Goals’. One of these goals is to ensure countries collectively find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle what we create, use and throw away. What do you think of as being ‘waste’ and why?
Upcycling Think of something you’ve thrown away before. Where was it made? Where did you buy it? How long did you use it for? What happened after you threw it away? This is often the product lifecycle: Natural/man made material
Product made
Product in shop/online
Product sold
Product used
Waste
But what if we can create something new from the waste and then use it again or sell it on? Natural/man made material Waste
Product made
Product used
Product in shop/online
Product sold
Your fellow innovators – Elvis and Kresse Elvis and Kresse recognised that a lot of waste was being generated from fire hoses which can no longer be repaired in London. The company decided to use these to create a whole range of luxury accessories, including bags, purses and belts. The fire hose material is great for bags because it’s waterproof, durable, strong and it’s also a striking colour for accessories too. What’s more, when people buy their products, Elvis and Kresse donate some money to the Fire Fighters Charity.
Your fellow innovators – Adidas and Parley Sports brand Adidas has been working with Parley For The Oceans to help end ocean plastic pollution. Adidas have been taking what would be waste plastics and turning these into sportswear. By recycling ocean waste, Adidas have created a new product which they can sell and giving ocean waste a new lease of life. Trainers can be made using the plastic because it is strong and can be shaped and dyed to make the shoe look good.
Your fellow innovators – Freitag Freitag use recycled tarpaulins from lorries to create new bags. They also create clothing which, when no longer needed, can be composted or recycled into something new. The tarpaulin is a great material to use for bags because it’s hard wearing, waterproof and comes in plenty of colours.
Reclaimed blazers We have reclaimed school uniform blazers that we want you to reinvent and turn into something new. Before arriving at your school, the charity NOAH Enterprise has removed the logo pocket from the blazer for us and will sell the blazers we don’t use in our shops. NOAH Enterprise helps the most disadvantaged in the local community by supporting people who are homeless. Where will you take the blazer next?
Taking on the challenge It’s time to put your creative skills to the test and think about what journey you are going to take your blazer on. How are you going to reinvent the blazer to give it a new life, in another form? It doesn’t have to be clothing, it could become something entirely different e.g. pencil case, a pillow case or lampshade.
Have fun getting stuck into the challenge. We look forward to seeing your creations.
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
We sheer sheep and use their wool to keep us warm.
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
We grow cotton and use it for clothes such as shirts.
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
We can take rubber from trees and use it in elastic bands.
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
Silk worms make silk which we can use for scarves.
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
Oil is one of the key ingredients needed to make polyester which we can use to make clothes.
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
Limestone is used to make neoprene. Neoprene keeps heat in when it’s cold and wet, making it perfect for wetsuits.
Material match exercise What materials have been used to make these gloves and why?
Sourcing materials
Material
Recyclable/reusable
Biodegradable
Nonbiodegradable/harmful
Activity 2: Fit for purpose
Smart material challenge Smart materials are able to react to changes in their environment because of their special properties when exposed to external conditions such as light, temperature or pressure.
Some glasses lenses change colour when you wear them inside and outside in different lights
Some thermometers respond to changes in heat by changing colour because of the ink inside Some clothing doesn’t crease because the material remembers its original shape
Activity 3: Surplus to requirements
Material consequences 1. REDUCE: can you use less? 2. RETHINK: do you need to change how things look or work?
3. REFUSE: do you really need it? 4. RECYCLE: can it be turned into something else? 5. REUSE: can you use it again? 6. REPAIR: can you fix it?
Material impact How do the 6Rs help us to tackle waste?
How would you reinvent a school blazer to give it a new life?
What is the Innovation Challenge? The Innovation Challenge is a competition which will get you working in teams and using your imagination and creativity to answer the following question, set by our Sustainability Managers:
How would you reinvent a school blazer to give it a new life?
Real world problem We want you to think about waste. There are more than 7 billion people on Earth and we’re producing waste every day. By 2050, there will be more than 9 billion people on the planet and more people, means more waste. This is a problem for our environment because we will use up more natural resources and we’ll have to find places for all our waste to go. The United Nations has set 17 goals known as the ‘Sustainable Development Goals’. One of these goals is to ensure countries collectively find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle what we create, use and throw away. What do you think of as being ‘waste’ and why?
Upcycling Think of something you’ve thrown away before. Where was it made? Where did you buy it? How long did you use it for? What happened after you threw it away? This is often the product lifecycle: Natural/man made material
Product made
Product in shop/online
Product sold
Product used
Waste
But what if we can create something new from the waste and then use it again or sell it on? Natural/man made material Waste
Product made
Product used
Product in shop/online
Product sold
Your fellow innovators – Elvis and Kresse Elvis and Kresse recognised that a lot of waste was being generated from fire hoses which can no longer be repaired in London. The company decided to use these to create a whole range of luxury accessories, including bags, purses and belts. The fire hose material is great for bags because it’s waterproof, durable, strong and it’s also a striking colour for accessories too. What’s more, when people buy their products, Elvis and Kresse donate some money to the Fire Fighters Charity.
Your fellow innovators – Adidas and Parley Sports brand Adidas has been working with Parley For The Oceans to help end ocean plastic pollution. Adidas have been taking what would be waste plastics and turning these into sportswear. By recycling ocean waste, Adidas have created a new product which they can sell and giving ocean waste a new lease of life. Trainers can be made using the plastic because it is strong and can be shaped and dyed to make the shoe look good.
Your fellow innovators – Freitag Freitag use recycled tarpaulins from lorries to create new bags. They also create clothing which, when no longer needed, can be composted or recycled into something new. The tarpaulin is a great material to use for bags because it’s hard wearing, waterproof and comes in plenty of colours.
Reclaimed blazers We have reclaimed school uniform blazers that we want you to reinvent and turn into something new. Before arriving at your school, the charity NOAH Enterprise has removed the logo pocket from the blazer for us and will sell the blazers we don’t use in our shops. NOAH Enterprise helps the most disadvantaged in the local community by supporting people who are homeless. Where will you take the blazer next?
Taking on the challenge It’s time to put your creative skills to the test and think about what journey you are going to take your blazer on. How are you going to reinvent the blazer to give it a new life, in another form? It doesn’t have to be clothing, it could become something entirely different e.g. pencil case, a pillow case or lampshade.
Have fun getting stuck into the challenge. We look forward to seeing your creations.
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
We sheer sheep and use their wool to keep us warm.
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
We grow cotton and use it for clothes such as shirts.
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
We can take rubber from trees and use it in elastic bands.
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
Silk worms make silk which we can use for scarves.
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
Oil is one of the key ingredients needed to make polyester which we can use to make clothes.
Activity 1: Raw beginnings
Limestone is used to make neoprene. Neoprene keeps heat in when it’s cold and wet, making it perfect for wetsuits.
Material match exercise What materials have been used to make these gloves and why?
Sourcing materials
Material
Recyclable/reusable
Biodegradable
Nonbiodegradable/harmful
Activity 2: Fit for purpose
Smart material challenge Smart materials are able to react to changes in their environment because of their special properties when exposed to external conditions such as light, temperature or pressure.
Some glasses lenses change colour when you wear them inside and outside in different lights
Some thermometers respond to changes in heat by changing colour because of the ink inside Some clothing doesn’t crease because the material remembers its original shape
Activity 3: Surplus to requirements
Material consequences 1. REDUCE: can you use less? 2. RETHINK: do you need to change how things look or work?
3. REFUSE: do you really need it? 4. RECYCLE: can it be turned into something else? 5. REUSE: can you use it again? 6. REPAIR: can you fix it?
Material impact How do the 6Rs help us to tackle waste?
