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How can people create and consume goods that are renewable, repairable, reusable, and recyclable?

Circular Economy

Closed

Submissions are closed

Timeline

  • Applications Open

    January 1, 2019 12:00am EST
  • Solution Deadline

    February 28, 2019 11:59pm EST
  • Challenges Open

    February 28, 2019 11:59pm EST
  • Deadline to Submit a Draft Solution at 5:00pm ET

    July 1, 2019 11:59pm EDT
  • Edit Your Posted Solution

    July 22, 2019 11:59pm EDT
  • Final Revisions Due by 9:00am ET

    July 22, 2019 11:59pm EDT
  • Solve Challenge Finals

    September 22, 2019 11:59pm EDT

Challenge Overview

Every year, the world creates more than 2 billion tons of solid waste—roughly five times the total weight of all people on the planet. The linear supply chains used to extract and process material into goods produce a significant amount of carbon emissions while exposing people and ecosystems to disruption and chemical risks, whether through mining, dyes, leaking landfills, or microplastics.

Linear models of designing and producing clothing, plastics, electronics, and other goods have been led by high-income countries: the supply chains for goods consumed by the richest 10 percent of the world’s population are associated with 50 percent of carbon emissions. Yet, the resulting climate change will drive more intense droughts, floods, and heatwaves everywhere, particularly in countries with the fewest resources to adapt. For everyone’s benefit, the world’s supply chains and the hundreds of millions of people employed by them need to shift towards a circular approach that targets zero waste and minimal impacts.

A smartphone designed for repair and recycling decreases mining for minerals in conflict-prone areas. Clothes made with renewable fabrics that can biodegrade will not require petroleum or landfill space. Shifting business models from frequent purchases to goods for local repair, rental, or reuse reduces the number of products that need to be manufactured or transported in the first place. Finally, choosing materials produced and recycled with zero-carbon energy lowers the carbon footprint for all products or later uses. Building a circular economy will require changes in product design and business approaches that have ripple effects throughout supply chains and economic systems.

To shift towards circular supply chains where the goods we use are zero waste with minimal impacts, Solve is seeking solutions that enable:

  • Increased and equitable production of renewable and recyclable raw materials for products and packaging;

  • Design and production of mass-market clothing and apparel that are recycled and recyclable or biodegradable at end of life;

  • New business models that encourage extending the lifetime of products rather than frequent purchases; and

  • Recycling of complex products like electronics.

Challenge Chairs

[featured_judges]

Solver Funding, Prize, and Partnership Eligibility for the Circular Economy Challenge

Solver Funding

All solutions selected for Solve’s four current Global Challenges will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve. Solver teams will be selected by a panel of cross-sector judges at Solve Challenge Finals during UN General Assembly week in New York City on September 22, 2019.

In addition to Solve funding, the following prizes are available to Solver teams selected for the Circular Economy Challenge. To be considered for a prize, complete the prize-specific question within the application. You do not need to meet these requirements to apply to the Circular Economy Challenge:

AI Innovations Prize

Solutions that are propelled by advanced computing techniques or that leverage artificial intelligence to address the Challenge are eligible for the AI Innovations Prize. This prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation and Schmidt Futures. The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and our global community through neuroscience research and information technology. Schmidt Futures is a philanthropic initiative founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that bets early on people who will make our world better — helping people to achieve more for others by applying advanced science and technology thoughtfully and by working together across fields. Up to $500,000 will be granted across several recipients selected for the prize. Eligible Solver teams may be selected from any of Solve's four current Global Challenges.

GM Prize on Circular Economy

Solutions that help communities shift towards a more circular economy through zero waste and zero carbon, including through STEM education for new design and manufacturing techniques, are eligible for the GM Prize on Circular Economy, made possible by General Motors. Up to $50,000 will be granted across two Solver teams within the Circular Economy Challenge.

Innovation for Women Prize

Solutions that use innovative technology to improve the quality of life for women and girls are eligible for the Innovation for Women Prize. This prize is funded by the Vodafone Americas Foundation, which supports technology-focused projects to advance the needs of women and girls, and to promote a world where women’s voices can be celebrated. Up to $75,000 will be granted across up to three Solver teams selected to receive the prize. Eligible Solver teams may be selected from any of Solve's four current Global Challenges.

Innospark Ventures Prize

The Innospark Ventures Prize is open to AI-based solutions from across the cybersecurity, education, healthcare, life sciences, and business services sectors focused in the United States. The prize is funded by Innospark Ventures, which invests in founders and ideas that leverage advanced artificial intelligence to create a differential and disruptive impact for our economy and society. Up to $100,000 will be granted to up to four eligible Solver teams from across any of Solve's current Global Challenges.

Judging Criteria

  • Alignment: The solution uses technology to address one of Solve's Global Challenges.
  • Potential for Impact: The planned solution implementation has the potential to impact lives.
  • Feasibility: Solution implementation is feasible, and the team has a plan for financial sustainability.
  • Innovative Approach: The solution includes a new technology, a new application of technology, a new business model, or a new process for solving the Challenge.
  • Scalability: The solution can be scaled to affect the lives of more people.
  • Partnership Potential: The applicant clearly explains how the solution would benefit from the broad range of resources that the Solve community is positioned to provide.

Solutions

Selected

Algramo: Lowering Prices by Eliminating Packaging Waste

By Brian Bauer
Brian Bauer José Manuel Moller
Selected

Recycling Unrecyclable Plastics

By Miranda Wang
Miranda Wang
Selected

Xilinat

By Javier Larragoiti
Javier Larragoiti
Selected

Rheaply

By Garry Cooper
Garry Cooper
Selected

Queen of Raw

By Stephanie Benedetto
Stephanie Benedetto
Selected

Creating Circular Solutions

By Nicole Bassett
Nicole Bassett
Selected

AIR-INK: Air-Pollution to ink

By Anirudh Sharma
Anirudh Sharma
Selected

Mylea : a Better Leather

By Adi Reza Nugroho
Adi Reza Nugroho
Finalist

Revive Eco

By Scott Kennedy
Scott Kennedy Fergus Moore
Finalist

Pyrowave - regeneration of plastics through microwaves

By Jocelyn Doucet
Jocelyn Doucet
Finalist

Hello Tractor

By Priscilla Asonibare
Priscilla Asonibare
Finalist

Topolytics

By Michael Groves
Michael Groves
Finalist

Magnomer: A Design2Recycle

By Ravish Majithia
Ravish Majithia Vishal Salian kumaril kapadia
Finalist

GreenToGo

By Jennifer Hill
Jennifer Hill Crystal Dreisbach
Finalist

Carbicrete

By Florence Genest
Florence Genest Chris Stern

Meet the Judges

Chair

Marjorie Yang

Marjorie Yang

Esquel Group, Chairman
Mark Reuss

Mark Reuss

General Motors | Judge for GM Prize on Circular Economy, President

Featured

Marjorie  Yang

Marjorie Yang

Esquel Group, Chairman
Mark Reuss

Mark Reuss

General Motors | Judge for GM Prize on Circular Economy, President

Leadership

John Fernández

John Fernández

MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative , Director
Kristin Kagetsu

Kristin Kagetsu

Saathi, Co-Founder and CEO
Hari Balasubramanian

Hari Balasubramanian

EcoAdvisors, Managing Director
Amy Hall

Amy Hall

EILEEN FISHER, Vice President, Social Consciousness
Loay Malahmeh

Loay Malahmeh

Venture Building & Innovation in MENA
Lewis Akenji

Lewis Akenji

Hot or Cool Institute, Managing Director
Shilpa Sharma

Shilpa Sharma

, Entrepreneur in Fashion, Lifestyle, and Travel
Trish Hyde

Trish Hyde

Plasticity, Founder PlastX; MD The Plastics Circle; Director Plasticity
Danielle Joseph

Danielle Joseph

Closed Loop Ventures, Investor
Barbara Hendrie

Barbara Hendrie

UN Environment North America, Director
Andrew Morlet

Andrew Morlet

Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Chief Executive
Léa Gejer

Léa Gejer

Flock and Ideia Circular, Founder
Ninfa Salinas

Ninfa Salinas

Grupo Dragon, President
Venan Sondo

Venan Sondo

CHAiNT Afrique LTD, Co-Founder and Managing Director
Mari Pantsar

Mari Pantsar

Sitra, Director, Carbon-Neutral Circular Economy
Libby McDonald

Libby McDonald

MIT D-Lab, Inclusive Economies Specialist
Arthur Huang

Arthur Huang

MINIWIZ, Founder and CEO
Graeme Smith

Graeme Smith

Mondi Group, Consumer Packaging Sustainability Manager
Lisa Brady

Lisa Brady

Cisco, Director, Supply Chain Sustainability and Circular Economy
Ryan Macpherson

Ryan Macpherson

Autodesk, Portfolio and Investment Manager
Liz Rodgers

Liz Rodgers

Nike, VP of Sustainable Product
Dane Parker

Dane Parker

General Motors || Judge for The GM Prize on Circular Economy, Vice President, Global Facilities and Environment
Shrijeet Mishra

Shrijeet Mishra

Aditya Birla Group, Chief Innovation Officer