By AIT Entrepreneurship Center
16 February 2024: The fight against plastic pollution received a significant boost with the successful conclusion of the online competition “Innovate for Impact: Solutions to Combat Plastic Pollution in Rivers and Canals“. Held on February 15, 2024, the event was organized by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) as part of its project CounterMEASURE III, with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), generously funded by the Government of Japan.
The competition aimed to harness innovative and practical ideas to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution in rivers and canals. A total of 20 applications representing universities across the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Thailand were received, from which ten teams were shortlisted and competed in the online competition.
Prof. Dieter Trau, Director of the AIT Entrepreneurship Center, warmly welcomed the participants and judges, setting the stage for a day of groundbreaking ideas and solutions. Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology at AIT, delivered inspiring opening remarks, encouraging the teams to think creatively and offering words of wisdom as they prepared to present their innovations.
The panel of judges, comprised of esteemed professionals in the field, lent their expertise to evaluate the proposals. Dr. Lakeesha Ransom, Enterprise Engagement Director of the AIT Entrepreneurship Center, Kevin Marks, Managing Director of Landmarks Vietnam, Alexander Radach, Founder of Sai Yok Springs Thailand, and Kavinda Gunasekara, Chief Operating Officer of the Global Water & Sanitation Center at AIT, provided invaluable insights throughout the competition.
The projects showcased a diverse range of approaches, spanning from policy initiatives to downstream cleanup efforts to innovative upcycling solutions. Each team presented their unique strategies to tackle the environmental menace of plastic pollution at its source.
After rigorous evaluation, Team The EcoWarriors emerged as the grand prize winner, earning a cash prize of USD 1,500. Their groundbreaking solution focuses on replacing plastic packaging for instant noodles with edible alternatives, potentially reducing plastic pollution by a staggering 200 million metric tons.
Team RecyConnect secured the runner-up position, receiving a cash prize of USD 500. Their innovative web platform creates a virtual marketplace for the sale of plastic waste as raw materials, facilitating the integration of recycled plastics into various industries and businesses.
“The caliber of ideas presented during the competition was truly inspiring. We are confident that these innovative solutions will contribute significantly to our ongoing efforts to combat plastic pollution and safeguard our rivers and canals,” said Prof. Trau.
The success of “Innovate for Impact” underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing global environmental challenges. By harnessing innovation and creativity, we can pave the way towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations to come.
For more information about the competition and future initiatives, please contact AIT Entrepreneurship Center: [email protected]
