Students from San Diego College of Continuing Education's (SDCCE) Clothing and Textiles Program recently showcased their sustainable design innovations at the Textile Recovery Summit, following their success in the college's From the Unwanted to the Unbelievable student design challenge.
Held February 23-25 in San Diego, the national summit was co-located with the Plastics Recycling Conference and the Resource Recycling Conference, creating one of the largest gatherings of materials management professionals in North America. The event convened thousands of industry leaders, policymakers, recyclers, manufacturers and sustainability advocates to explore solutions for textile waste and strategies to advance a circular economy. Sessions addressed topics including extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, California's Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707), emerging chemical and mechanical recycling technologies, global secondhand markets and AI-driven fiber sorting innovations.
SDCCE students had the opportunity to participate after transforming donated, end-of-life textiles into functional, purpose-driven creations during the campus design competition held in partnership with Goodwill San Diego.
At the summit, students displayed their upcycled designs and engaged directly with professionals working in textile recycling, sustainable manufacturing and environmental policy. Their projects demonstrated how discarded materials can be repurposed into products that address community needs, from adaptive-use items to comfort goods and practical household solutions.
The winning project showcased at the summit was 'The Carry All,' which earned top
honors for its thoughtful design and community impact. The project originated from
a desire to provide youth in foster care with a dignified and durable way to carry
their belongings - offering an alternative to trash bags, which are too often used
during placement transitions.
Students reclaimed several pounds of donated denim jeans, jackets and shirts to construct the exterior of the bags, selecting the material for its strength and longevity. For the interior lining, they repurposed bed sheets, tablecloths, curtains and other salvaged fabrics, ensuring every component reflected the project's sustainability mission.
Program Chair Shirley Pierson praised the students' work and their representation of the college at the high-profile industry event.
'Our students demonstrated that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand,' Pierson said. 'By participating in the Textile Recovery Summit, they not only showcased their technical skills and creativity, but also proved they are ready to contribute to a growing industry focused on environmental responsibility and circular design.'
Dean Myesha Jackson, who developed the partnership with Goodwill San Diego, emphasized the importance of real-world learning opportunities for students.
'Building this partnership with Goodwill San Diego has allowed our students to work directly with reclaimed textiles at scale and understand the lifecycle of donated goods,' Jackson said. 'It's a powerful example of how education and community organizations can come together to create meaningful workforce pathways while addressing urgent environmental challenges.'
The college's participation highlights its commitment to hands-on, career-focused education that connects classroom instruction with real-world environmental challenges. Through initiatives like the design challenge and summit engagement, SDCCE continues to prepare students for emerging careers in sustainable fashion, textile recovery and green manufacturing.
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bleonsandeford@sdccd.edu
