Open design competition

The City of Lahti is organizing an open design competition focusing on the circular economy of textiles. The competition is open for entries from 25 May to 13 August 2023. The winner will be announced by 8 September 2023.

Lahti is known for its pioneering environmental work. Through the design competition the city wants to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in circular economy by searching for new applications for discarded textiles and recovered textile fiber.

Who can participate?

The competition is open to Finnish citizens and people residing in Finland. Participation is encouraged from both students and professional designers. Entries can be submitted by individuals, groups, and companies alike. Entries that have been previously showcased in similar competitions are not eligible. Each participant or group can submit only one proposal.

The aims of the competition

The goal of the competition is to explore innovative and feasible applications and commercial opportunities for discarded textiles and recycled textile fibers. Through this competition, Lahti aims to promote the circularity of textiles and highlight the potential of discarded textiles as a raw material for industry and design.

The competition is looking for impactful and innovative ideas or product concepts that make use of discarded textiles and recycled textile fiber in a significant way. At the same time, the competition will showcase the potential and the principles of circular economy.

Conditions and criteria

Competition entries need to make use of discarded textiles or textile fiber in a significant way.
Competition entries should adhere to the principles of circular economy throughout the entire lifecycle of the product.
Entries will be considered for their innovation, newness, and esthetic value, along with their feasibility and commercial potential.
The competition does not focus on a particular product category or industry; entries from different fields such as fashion, design and industrial design are welcomed.
Products already on the market and entries that have been previously showcased in similar competitions are not eligible.

Textile waste and circularity

Textile waste is made up of all textiles that can no longer be used, such as clothes and household textiles that are too worn out and torn and no longer fit for their purpose.
Recycled fibers can be used to make thread, nonwoven fabrics, insulation materials, acoustic panels, filter fabrics and composites.
Recycled textile fibers can vary in quality and properties based on the source fiber. This can affect the material’s durability, flexibility, color retention, and other technical qualities.
Compared to virgin fiber, recycled textile fiber can help minimize a product’s carbon footprint and environmental impact.
Recycled textile fibers can be used in the manufacturing of various products, such as clothes, accessories, acoustic panels, household textiles and carpets. The versatility of the fiber makes it possible to create different textile structures and surfaces for different uses.
In circular economy, product lifecycle assessment aims to ensure that in addition to its manufacturing, all stages before and after are included in calculating the environmental impact of the product. The design process should put focus on sustainability and durability, as well as recyclability, modularity and effective use of resources.

Prizes

The winning entry will be awarded a 5000€ prize. The prize is considered taxable income.

Competition entries are digital and should be delivered to info@greenlahti.fi

Entries can be delivered via WeTransfer. Please enter the entrant’s name, address, email and phone number in the message field. Entries should be delivered by 23:59 on 13 August 2023. Late entries are not admitted to the competition.