DATE : 13.12.2025

TIME : 9.00 AM to 3.00 PM

VENUE : Goonj Foundation, Kovilambakkam

EVENT CONVENER : Dr. V. Bhanu Rekha, Professor & Head, Department of Fashion

Designing

EVENT COORDINATOR : Ms. Githanjali R., Assistant Professor, Fashion Designing

NO. OF PARTICIPANTS : 4 Students from Socio Activity Club

SUMMARY OF THE EVENT

The Department of Fashion Designing, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Business Studies, SRMIST Ramapuram organized a Faculty Immersion Program titled “The Art and Science of Recycling” on 13th December 2025. The objective of the program was to provide participants with direct exposure to real-world recycling processes, sustainable material handling, and community-driven upcycling initiatives.

Participants visited the Goonj Foundation, where they observed how discarded materials are systematically collected, segregated, processed, and transformed into usable utility products. The immersion experience bridged the gap between theoretical sustainability concepts and their practical applications in the textile and fashion industry.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS & KEY POINTS 1. Understanding Material Segregation Classification of textiles based on condition, usability, and fabric type Methods of sorting clothes, household materials, and accessories 2. Textile Recycling Process Cleaning, sanitizing, and preparing discarded fabrics Layering techniques for producing utility mats Zero-waste methodology followed by Goonj 3. Upcycling & Value-Added Creation Turning fabric waste into bags, pouches, mats, and accessories Skill-based livelihood generation for local communities Importance of handmade, low-energy production models 4. Social Impact Learning Insight into dignity-based distribution models Community empowerment through recycling Waste as a resource approach in sustainable fashion LEARNING OUTCOMES

Participants gained:

Practical awareness of circular fashion models Understanding of material lifecycle within the fashion ecosystem Knowledge of sustainable textile waste managementt Motivation to integrate sustainability in academic projects Inspiration to adopt eco-conscious design practices Awareness of social responsibility through community engagement Images: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 Trade Fair Visit