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5th year student, Farhan Tijani, won the Re-turn Award for her project, ReThread.
A student from Millstreet Community School, County Cork, has taken home the Re-turn Award at the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (Stripe YSTE).
The award was presented to fifth-year student Farhan Tijani during the official prize-giving on Friday, 9th January.
Re-turn, operator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, presented the award as part of its ongoing commitment to support young people who are driving practical solutions for a more circular economy. Through its presence at the Stripe YSTE, Re-turn, engaged directly with students, exploring innovative ways to reduce waste and create positive environmental change in their communities
Farhan’s winning project in the Environmental Innovation category, titled ReThread, demonstrated outstanding environmental innovation and positive social impact. The project examined the environmental and ethical consequences of fast fashion and proposed a solution through a mobile app designed to promote more sustainable clothing habits. The app encourages upcycling, clothing swaps, and second-hand shopping through tutorials, a swap marketplace, thrift shop mapping, and environmental impact tracking.
Commenting on the award winner and exhibition, Dermot Mulligan, Chief Marketing Officer at Re-turn, said: “It was a pleasure to present Farhan with this award for her ReThread project, a strong example of how young people are developing creative and practical solutions to real environmental challenges. The Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition continues to showcase an exceptional calibre of ideas, with projects that have clear real-world relevance and positive social impact.
“Supporting this kind of innovation aligns closely with Re-turn’s role in driving behaviour change and building a more circular economy in Ireland, and it is inspiring to see that ambition reflected so strongly in the next generation.”
Pól Ó Síodhcháin, Principal of Millstreet Community School, said: “Farhan’s achievement is one we are genuinely delighted about here in Millstreet Community School. Our students have a long and proud history of success at the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, and Farhan now takes her place among those past winners and participants who have challenged us to think differently. ReThread is a wonderful example of what happens when a student marries creativity with a strong sense of social and global responsibility.
“Global Citizenship Education has been an important part of our work in MCS for many years, and Farhan’s project strengthens that tradition. What stands out for me is her determination to move beyond highlighting the problem of fast fashion and instead create something that helps people to act differently in their everyday lives. We are incredibly proud of her, and I have no doubt her work will influence both our school community and the wider conversation on the circular economy.”
