Beat Waste Challenge
Innovation for Change
Beat Waste Startup Challenge was launched by MYOO Create, in partnership with David de Rothschild’s Plastiki Expedition, to find businesses and social enterprises that reduce or eliminate waste. The Challenge looked for enterprises with an innovative and scalable solution to the problem of waste – for early-stage ventures seeking to grow.
Sculpt the Future Foundation provided prizes totaling $25,000 and the prizes were awarded by a world-class panel of judges, including Paul Hawken, Graham Hill (founder of Treehugger), Blake Mycoskie (founder of TOMs shoes), Premal Shaw of Kiva, and Adam Werbach- the youngest head of the Sierra Club and sustainable business leader.
MYOO Create members participated by voting for their favourite ideas, commenting, sharing feedback, and sharing with friends. There was a $500 prize for the Myoo Create member who provides the best quality feedback during the challenge. Winners were:
1st prize – Waste Ventures – working in India, the company incubates solid waste management companies in developing countries that are owned and operated by waste pickers. The company provides them with the tools to environmentally process the waste and in the process generate a much better living from selling recyclables, biofertilizer, and earning carbon credits;
2nd prize – Dirt Hugger is based in the US. It is a local composting company that creates sustainable economies by collecting, processing, and utilizing valuable organic nutrients locally;
3rd prize – Young Artists Fellowship for the Environment, Inc – this non-profit produces eco-detergents and cleaning materials (bottles can be refilled when empty at a discounted price); eco-bag- made from recycled magazines or plastics (amazingly durable); eco-curtains, coasters-made from plastics; Products under development are: a bag from waterlilies; handmade papers from agricultural wastes.
4th prize – Thomas Wendell – won the prize for the Myoo Create member who provided the best quality feedback during the challenge.
