Sew New Life –

Clothing and Sustainability Campaign for ENO Schools and Communities

Welcome to the Clothing and Sustainability Campaign!

This year during the week of Global Recycling Day celebrated annually 18 March, ENO in collaboration with TexCycle Group invites schools and communities to give a second life to old clothes! The event week will be held on from Mon 17 to Fri 21 March, where students and participants can bring old clothes and learn how to upcycle them into new items. Let’s get creative and promote sustainability through fashion! An online gallery of the creations will be created to showcase the works. The link will be available a few days before the event.

Action week: 17-21 March 2025

Target group: Secondary school studenst (students aged 12-16 years old)

Curriculums: STEAM, Arts & Crafts

Hashtag: #SewNewLife #enoprogramme

Registration: ENO registration form. Registrations by 14 March 2025.

Quick menu: INSTRUCTIONS    I   CAMPAIGN MATERIALS   I   REGISTRATION

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INSTRUCTIONS

PREPARATIONS BEFORE THE EVENT:

  1. Visit the Campaign Page:
    More details about the event and how to get involved are available on the ENO website. Be sure to check for resources and materials to help plan your event. Check also campaign materials for this campaign. 
  2. Schedule:
    The ENO Clothing and Sustainability Campaign takes place during the week 17-21 March (Global Recycling Day 18 March).

      1. Register your school or organization:
        Ensure your school is part of this global movement by signing up for the campaign on the ENO registration form. Registrations by 14 March 2025.
      2. Gather materials:
        Ask students and teachers to bring old clothes that they wish to upcycle or repurpose. Encourage participants to be creative and bring any additional materials they think could be useful for redesigning their clothes (buttons, patches, ribbons, etc.).
      3. Choose a space for the event:
        Make sure your school has a designated space for participants to sit, sew and work on their clothing items. Tables, chairs and tools such as sewing machines and scissors should be available. If possible, reach out to local businesses or community members to borrow sewing equipment or expertise.
      4. Contact fashion experts/tailors/sewers (optional):
        Invite local fashion experts, seamstresses or sustainable fashion advocates to assist students and provide guidance during the event.
      5. Promote the event:
        Share the event details on social media, newsletters or local media to encourage participation. This is also a great opportunity to spread awareness about the importance of recycling and sustainability.
      6. Prepare for documentation:
        Plan to take photos and videos during the event to share with the global ENO community. These can also be used to document the creativity and success of your school’s participation.
      7. Engage students and parents (optional):
        Get students involved in organizing the event and spreading the message. Parents can help with providing clothing items and assist younger students in sewing or upcycling.

      EVENT WEEK:

      1. Welcome Participants:
        Start by gathering everyone for a short introduction to explain the purpose of the event and the importance of clothing sustainability.
      2. Upcycling Stations:
        Set up stations where participants can work on their clothes. Each station should have sewing equipment, tools and guidance from fashion experts.
      3. Sewing and Creativity:
        Encourage students and participants to get creative—whether it’s converting trousers into shorts, adding patches to an old jacket or turning a t-shirt into a tote bag.
      4. Interactive Learning:
        Throughout the event, fashion experts can hold small workshops or give tips on how to sustainably manage your wardrobe and avoid fast fashion.
      5. Showcase the Results:
        Once the upcycling is complete, hold a mini fashion show or showcase where students can show their creations. Take group photos with everyone showing their upcycled items. 
      6. Closing Remarks:
        Close the event by reflecting on the importance of sustainability and how small actions, like upcycling clothes, can make a big difference for the environment. Invite a local guest or a representative to give a short speech on the subject.

      AFTER THE EVENT:

      1. Sustainability Follow-Up:
        Encourage participants to continue their journey toward sustainability. Share resources on how to care for clothes and extend their life, along with tips on sustainable fashion.
      2. Share on Social Media:
        Exhibit the works in a ENO Online gallery (link to be offered for the registered schools) and/or in social media. Use the campaign hashtag #SewNewLife and ENO hastag #enoprogramme
      3. Plan Future Events:
        Consider organizing more events like this. Encourage students to spread the message of sustainable fashion and take these lessons home with them.

      Hashtags to use:

      • Campaign hashtag: #SewNewLife
      • Facebook and twitter: #enoprogramme @enoprogramme
      • Instagram: @enoschoolnet #upcycledfashion

      CAMPAIGN MATERIALS

       

      1. Inspiration

      See TexCycle gallery:  Workshop UpCycle with Texcycle

       

      2. Beach bag from an old t-shirt

       

       

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      3. Textile Eco Calculator

      What environmental resources are you saving by disposing of textiles and shoes separately? The Textile Eco Calculator shows what the ecological savings are from textiles left in containers. By separating textiles from general waste you help to:

      • The reuse of textiles, thereby replacing the production of new ones;
      • Recycling and energy recovery of textile waste instead of sending it to landfill.

      Try from here

      The calculator is being offered by TexCycle Group

       

       

       

       

      4. Sample speech fo students

      Our Message for the Day:
      Today, on Global Recycling Day, we come together to learn how to breathe new life into the clothes we wear. By repurposing, redesigning and upcycling, we are showing the world that fashion can be sustainable. Around the globe, schools and communities like ours are taking part in this initiative and together we are reducing waste, protecting our environment and promoting creativity.

      What we do today is more than just sewing! We are taking steps toward a more sustainable future. Let’s remember that every piece of clothing has value and by giving it a second life, we are making a positive impact. Let’s upcycle for a better tomorrow!