Fashion students transform tech waste into avant-garde designs

Level 3, year 1 Fashion and Textiles students at Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) have taken sustainability to stylish new heights in their recent induction project where they have repurposed discarded packaging to create a selection of avant-garde fashion pieces.

After the College’s refurbished spaces were equipped with hundreds of new Dell computers in the summer, a large amount of packaging was left behind. The College’s Fashion and Textiles department saw an opportunity to repurpose the plastic, cardboard and other materials to be used as an alternative material source.

Speaking about the process, Kiran Moorley, Fashion and Textiles Lecturer said: “We collected everything – plug covers, ties, bubble wrap, sponge, plastic, and used it as instant material for the students. They manipulated it, stitched it, moulded it – it’s been a brilliant way to develop dexterity and practical skills using everyday throw-away items.”

Students were challenged to create dramatic designs without cutting the plastic, ensuring it could be reused again. Inspired by the theme of sea life, they also crafted circular and spiked attachments and accessories, many of them exploring sewing techniques for the first time.

The project culminated in a professional photo shoot in the College’s photography studio, showcasing the students’ creations. QR codes left on the plastic have become part of the design narrative, hinting at the materials’ origins and inviting people to explore the story behind the garments.

Students shared the project with students and staff through an immersive exhibition in the College’s Immersive Suite, as well as creating a PowerPoint presentation for Dell representatives, highlighting how the company’s waste materials were transformed. Meanwhile, leftover cardboard is being repurposed into weaving cards, and 3D & Mixed Media Design students are also using it to create sustainable furniture.

Kiran added: “This is our contribution to raising awareness. Physical creativity has been disappearing in the digital age, but it’s making a comeback. With learners expressing a growing interest in making and customising their own clothes, this project not only teaches practical skills but also encourages a shift away from throwaway fashion culture. Universities are increasingly adding sustainability to their fashion courses, and we’re proud to be part of that movement.”