Mindful Fashion – New Zealand sustainable fashion organisation – has opened submissions for the Circular Business Innovation Award in Aotearoa, sponsored by last year’s winner for its ‘Rubbish Socks’, Untouched World. 

Citing the figures from a report Threads of Tomorrow produced by EY NZ that “143 tonnes of clothing waste are dumped into New Zealand landfills every day”, Mindful Fashion CEO Jacinta FitzGerald says the event supports a transition to circular business models in the fashion and textile industry in the region.

“It is imperative we shift to a more circular way of operating – one that designs out waste and keeps our clothing and textiles in use,” she said.

Supporting more environmentally friendly New Zealand-based businesses, the third-year award’s commitment is to promote the implementation of circular methods in the fashion industry, including the regeneration of materials, reduction of waste, and the development of sustainable innovations.

“To see last year’s winner return as this year’s sponsor is a powerful demonstration of leadership – and a commitment to nurturing the wider ecosystem of change,” said FitzGerald.

Entries are now open on Mindful Fashion’s website and will close on August 1.