Ji "Woody" Wu
2026 Eco-Hero
FINALIST
Ji "Woody" Wu
Age 12
Yilan County, Taiwan
Action to Fast Fashion: Recloth Kids
At 12 years old, Taiwanese youth environmentalist Ji Wu is tackling the global fast fashion crisis through creative upcycling and digital innovation. Growing up with a deep love for the ocean, Ji initially focused his environmental advocacy on marine conservation. However, after noticing overflowing clothing recycling bins on the streets of Taiwan and learning how the textile industry pollutes waterways with toxic dyes and microplastics, he shifted his focus to the root of the problem. In early 2024, he formed "Recloth Kids," a youth-led initiative dedicated to reducing clothing waste through public education, recycling, and community workshops.
Under Ji's leadership, Recloth Kids has executed 60 environmental actions and reached over 3,300 individuals. To make the invisible impacts of fast fashion visible, his team collaborated with a land artist to construct a giant whale installation using 10,000 discarded garments. Beyond raising awareness, Ji leads hands-on workshops where he teaches people of all ages how to upcycle old clothes into practical items like coasters and phone straps. Through these community efforts, his team has successfully upcycled 2,665 garments and diverted approximately 10 tonnes of textile waste from local landfills.
Ji's work bridges grassroots action and high-level policy advocacy. As a Yilan County Youth Representative, he has presented at the Legislative Yuan to advocate for stronger environmental laws and submitted petition letters directly to the Ministry of Environment. Recognizing that manual recycling is a slow process, Ji is currently developing a new platform using artificial intelligence to help consumers easily locate recycling centers and learn about the impacts of fast fashion. When he is not organizing clothing drives or speaking at youth forums, Ji enjoys freediving, reading fantasy novels, and acting in his father's eco-theater.
"I want to understand the life of a piece of clothing and find better ways to protect our Earth. By leading Recloth Kids, I want to help create a fairer world where no one suffers for cheap fashion."
