Expressions of interest are now open for Seamless members or supporters to be part of our working groups. These expert groups will be responsible for activities from the Seamless work plan across circular design, circular business models and closing the loop.
If you’re a clothing brand or retailer, and you’ve signed on as a Seamless member, or if you’re a stakeholder in the clothing industry and you’ve signed on as a Seamless supporter, then we’d love to hear from you! The first four Seamless working groups have been announced and expressions of interest are being sought. The groups will meet from February 2025, so let us know by Friday, 29 November 2024 if you’d like to join.
New Seamless working groups
The first four Seamless working groups are:
1. Circular design: eco-modulation and data reporting
You’ll review the current eco-modulation criteria for clothing and provide recommendations on the framework to further develop eco-modulation, as well as new eco-modulation criteria.
2. Circular business models: aged inventory management
You’ll review the current baseline of industry data for aged clothing inventory and investigate and recommend planning and sourcing practices and methodologies to reduce overproduction.
3. Closing the loop: taxonomy of R-Strategies
You’ll review the proposed taxonomy of R-Strategies that guide how circular design and manufacturing can keep resources in use and waste out of the environment – from ‘Refuse’ and ‘Rethink’ through to ‘Recover’ and ‘Recycle’. These will become the standard industry definitions for the development of Australia’s national clothing collection, sorting, reuse and recycling system.
4. Closing the loop: meeting the requirements for uniforms
You’ll consider the uniform market and align the current Seamless scheme model to the requirements of uniforms as a product stream.
What’s required of working group members
Each working group will have up to 12 members and will be guided by clearly defined terms of reference to communicate the purpose of the group and expected outcomes. Groups meet online every four to six weeks and each meeting will run for up to two hours. You’ll need to finalise your group deliverables by 30 June 2025.
Each meeting will have an agenda that is prepared and shared in advance by Seamless. Each meeting will also be chaired by Seamless, and the Seamless team will also document and distribute meeting minutes and outcomes.
Benefits of being involved
Working groups are an opportunity for Seamless members and supporters to work together to provide technical or subject matter expertise on specific areas of the Seamless work plan across the circular clothing economy. You’ll share your insights, learnings and challenges and collaborate on new activities and initiatives to help transform the way we choose, enjoy and recycle clothing. Working group members will be announced publicly if agreed, and some of you may have the opportunity to share your outcomes by contributing to content and speaking at events.
Express your interest today
To be considered, complete the Seamless working group expression of interest by Friday, 29 November 2024. You’ll be asked to nominate which group or groups you’d like to join, and you’ll also need to share information to help us determine your suitability. Seamless will notify all applicants of their involvement by Friday, 13 December 2024.
