Faculty of Science and Engineering
Part of The University of Manchester Research Network
Game Changers
Up-cycling and up-skilling
Project team: Lindsay Pressdee, Dr Amy Benstead, Dr Jo Conlon
Garment waste is a difficult problem to tackle. Its complicated, with different garments, fabrics and fibres, it’s difficult to know where to start. At Game Changers, we’re tackling the garment waste crisis head-on by offering practical tools and resources for individuals and community groups to breathe new life into their old clothes and work towards garment circularity.
Dive into our step-by-step tutorials and guides, designed to help you repurpose sports shirts into stylish, reusable bags. Our mission is to champion sustainability in fashion and empower people to extend the life of their garments. Join us in making a meaningful impact on textile waste reduction and working towards a circular economy.
Explore our website to discover the resources you need to start re-cycling and re-purposing your own sports shirts. You can do this on your own, or with your team or group. We are encouraging everyone to be part of the solution, with these simple, creative and fun tutorials.
About the research
The UK disposes of one million tonnes of textiles every year, 300,000 tonnes of which end up in landfifi ll or incineration and fifi gures suggest 10% of global CO2 emissions could come from the fashion industry. The football sector is a huge contributor to this – approximately 2.45 million Liverpool and 1.95 million Manchester United sports shirts were sold worldwide in 2021 alone.
This research, led by academics Lindsay Pressdee, Dr Amy Benstead, Dr Jo Conlon from the University of Manchester, explores the challenges associated with polyester sportswear and emphasises the need for recycling and repurposing unwanted garments through community engagement and education.
Find out more on Game changers, a new approach to tackling sportswear garment waste
Tutorials
The following tutorials provide video and step-by-step instructions, complete with illustrations, showing how to repurpose a shirt into a functional bags. The process involves simple techniques like cutting, knotting and basic sewing making it accessible to all skill levels.
No Sew Shoulder Bag Tutorial
No Sew Crossbody Bag Tutorial
Simple Drawstring Bag Tutorial
Previous Events
- UoM Kit Bag Event
Students from local high schools participated in workshops where they created bags using Manchester United Foundation staff kits from the 2022/23 season. - UoM Community Festival
Spoke to families from the local community about the issues of what garments are made from, where textile waste goes and what is garment circularity. - Great Science Share
Pupils from 35 schools at the Great Science Share 2024 for Schools Greater Manchester Event about the issues of textile waste and the importance of repurposing and recycling garments. - Manchester United Foundation Workshop
A workshop at Old Trafford, teaching Manchester United Foundation staff and staff from the partner schools how to make a simple drawstring bag from a sports shirt.
Acknowledgments
Game Changers is inspired by leading sustainable designer Christopher Raeburn and Reaburn Design Studio, who worked with us on our first summer internship in 2023. We are grateful for their inspiration and support and acknowledge the extensive work they continue to do in the sustainable and responsible design.
Thank you to the Manchester United Foundation for their partnership and commitment to sustainability, from collecting uniforms to bringing local school children onto campus.
Thank you to everyone who has helped with a workshop or a community exhibition, we could not have done it without you. Kathryn Downey, Lauren Teasdale, Victoria Stephens, Lisa Taylor, Fiona Cotton, Mark Chadwick, Lena Bartoszewicz, Sophia Pugliese, Alba Boffelli, Zoe Jou Chiu.