Recycle the Runway Reimagines Waste

Aluminum cans and yard waste became designer materials for Recycle the Runway, an avant-garde fashion show hosted by Mecklenburg County Solid Waste and Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful on Saturday, May 3.  

The annual competition challenges high school students to create and model custom fashions made of at least 85% recycled materials. Four schools submitted seven designs for this year’s event, which was held at Northlake Mall.  

Mallard Creek High School won the Best in Show and Crowd Favorite awards, securing $4,000 in donated prize money for their school. The intricately detailed design titled “Veyra” included several pieces, including a skirt constructed of recycled paper, aluminum tabs and shredded tires, bodice crochet out of plastic bags, and horns made from packaging materials. The team spent 400 hours on the project.  

Northwest School of the Arts won the award for Most Creative for “Ember,” which used garbage bags, cardboard, and yard waste to convey the devastating effects of wildfires. Providence High School took home the award for Greatest Variety of Different Recycled Materials for “Ocean Tempest,” a mermaid-inspired gown comprised primarily of newspaper and soda cans. Hough High School secured the Judges Award for “Armored Maiden,” a multi-piece ensemble constructed of over 350 cans.  

Student teams were judged not only on their creativity, but on their knowledge of what can be recycled in Mecklenburg County.  

Recycle the Runway is open to students from public or private high schools in Mecklenburg County. To find out more about how to get involved in next year’s competition, contact [email protected].