Sustainability and waste management: the Sant’Abbondio Cloister in Como hosts the Summer School organized by the Research Center for Sustainable Fashion

From 13 to 17 July, the Cloister of Sant’Abbondio in Como will host the Summer School «Sustainable Fashion and Waste Management: Waste as a Resource in a Circular Economy», organised by the University of Insubria’s Research Centre for Sustainable Fashion in collaboration with Confindustria Como and ComoNext.

The initiative is open to University of Insubria students and all interested external participants. It offers an interdisciplinary programme focusing on the main challenges of the ecological transition in the textile sector. Key topics will include the sustainable design of fabrics and garments, waste prevention and management, ecodesign, the recovery of blended textiles and the issue of microplastics.

Particular attention will be paid to European Ecodesign Regulation 2024/1781, which establishes ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, and to the new opportunities offered by the bioeconomy, blockchain technology and traceability systems applied to the recovery of textile materials.

Academic lectures will be complemented by contributions from industry professionals and visits to several local organisations and companies: Tessitura Taborelli, Clerici Tessuto, the Como Silk Museum and Ostinelli Seta. The aim is to encourage direct dialogue between research, education and industry, bringing together the regulatory, economic, scientific and technological aspects of sustainability.

The Summer School will involve lecturers and experts who have previously worked together on sustainable fashion topics as part of the PNRR NODES project. The initiative is also part of the effort to strengthen partnerships with Como, a UNESCO Creative City, and looks ahead to the potential creation of an Innovation and Development Zone dedicated to the textile sector in the province of Como.

University of Insubria students wishing to earn academic credits will be required to complete a final written assessment. The number of credits that may be awarded will be determined by each Department.

Participation is free of charge and there are no registration fees.

To register, please email giacomo.furlanetto@uninsubria.it.