H&M is making an effort to create a more environmentally conscious apparel industry by rewarding startups with 1 million euros (approximately $1,102,695) in prize money for technological innovations that benefit the sustainable-apparel landscape.
According to Fashion Times, the H&M Conscious Foundation—an independent organization to create positive change—hosted its inaugural Global Change Award ceremony this month in Sweden. The organization awarded technology innovations that allow for a more sustainable fashion industry.
Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, awarded Michael Hummel the top award of 300,000 euros (appoximately $330,800 for developing a new cotton out of waste fabrics.
A team from the U.S., lead by Akshay Sethi, received 250,000 euros (approximately $275,670) for developing a microbe that breaks down waste from polyester.
Anna Runnel of Estonia, Enrica Arena of Italy and Tjeerd Veenhoven of Holland split a 150,000 euro (approximately $165,400) prize. Runnel's team developed an online market for textile leftovers, Arena's group produced a method of using by-products from citrus juice to create sustainable textiles, and Veenhoven is developing a process to create an alternative raw material using algae.
https://twitter.com/GlblChangeAward/status/697531426942623744
To view animations of the winning submissions, visit GoSee.
For more information on the Global Change Award, visit www.globalchangeaward.com.

Brendan Menapace is the senior digital editor for Promo Marketing. While writing and editing stories come naturally to him, writing his own bio does not.




