Sustainability - Junk Kouture

sustainability

Sustainability


THE FUTURE IS CIRCULAR

Junk Kouture recognises that creativity can spark change. Our mission goes beyond fashion, it’s about fostering green skills, creative thinking, and environmental responsibility. 

By inspiring the next generation of changemakers to innovate with discarded materials, we’re shaping a future where sustainability is at the core of design, problem-solving, and everyday life. 

Together, we’re cultivating the skills and mindset needed to create a brighter future for all.

Appointed an SDG Champion by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ireland. 

our program

Junk Kouture offers an exciting and creative platform to actively engage in climate action. We continuously evolve our educational resources for both educators and students, focusing on sustainability, circular economies, and innovative problem-solving. Our aim is to inspire participants to think beyond their creations and apply these vital concepts to all aspects of their lives.

To deepen understanding of global sustainability issues, since 2023, all Junk Kouture participants are required to align their designs with at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By doing so, we’re encouraging young people to link their creative process to global initiatives, building a deeper understanding of the challenges we face, and the solutions needed to shape a sustainable future.

JUNK KOUTURE SCOOPS the Ocean Hero Award at Footprint Sustainability Summit in Phoenix, Arizona
READ MORE

WHAT ARE SDGs?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The goals need to be achieved by 2030.
learn more

how CAN I help?

Every one of us can help By making choices that have less harmful effects on the environment, we can be part of the solution and influence change. Use the app to log your actions and contribute to the global count.
ACT NOW

SDGs & Junk Kouture

Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) as our guide, we have devised an ambitious 10 - year sustainability policy to constantly challenge the way we operate and to make us accountable to our students, schools, staff, partners, stakeholders, and planet. We have committed as an organisation to aim to deliver 6 of the goals by 2030.
SDG 4
SDG 5
SDG 10
SDG 11
SDG 12
SDG 13
UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES QUOTE

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

100,000+ schools reached globally
2m+ student participants;
Free accredited educational teacher resources and accredited training programmes
Driving STEAM in curriculums to encourage innovative thinking – bringing creativity into the classroom
Reach of purpose network across multiple platforms in local languages – global reach of 400 million

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Repurposing 800 tonnes of waste annually
Incentives and Awards to recognise innovative use of recycled materials; engage with climate and social activists to amplify winners and solutions
Over 200 events held globally; annual World Final with over 10,000 attendees across a 3 Day Festival of Sustainability

Reduce inequality within and among countries

The only requirement to participate is access to ‘junk’ and imagination.
A free to enter competition for all.
Support for schools with less resources through partnership funding to help with logistics of implementing the programme as well as attending City and World Finals.
Target countries severely impacted by both climate change and poverty.

MIPTV SDG INNOVATION AWARD

Awarded to Junk Kouture for its creative-integrated program that engages global youth audiences across several sustainable development goals. Listen above as United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communication - Mellisa Fleming speaks on Junk Kouture.

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Inclusivity for all irrespective of class, gender, sexual orientation, race and religion.
Bring Junk Kouture to communities in developing markets where school attendance by girls is low.
Work with educators to create opportunities for girls to engage in STEM subjects such as construction, technology and engineering Encourage equality and inclusivity through reaching out to the LGBTQi+ community and partnering with local support organisations.

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Launching competition in new markets reaches communities in cities and rural areas. Drives communities to impact climate change through changed behaviour Additional regional hubs created from 2024 adding new cities in each market – 25+ new cities to host events

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Local and global agreements with commercial and community partners to drive the message of sustainability and personal responsibility to the young community.
Driving change through creating the circular engineers of tomorrow in each school, city and country participating.
Driving innovation in material science.