expand_content
Global plastic pollution is an economic, environmental, human health and aesthetic problem posing a multi-dimensional challenge to humanity, often compared to climate change in terms of impact, breadth and complexity. A challenge of this magnitude will often inspire a surge in search for solutions from people of all backgrounds, from business and public sector, academia and research as well as the general public.
In order to accelerate the search for solutions, Canada’s National Zero Waste Council and Think Beyond Plastic™ are collaborating to produce a showcase featuring Canadian innovations that are consistent with resource-efficient, lifecycle management approach to plastics in the economy outlined in the G7 Ocean Plastics Charter. The Showcase will be part of the programming of the Zero Waste Conference taking place on October 30-31 in Vancouver, Canada
In order to accelerate the search for solutions, Canada’s National Zero Waste Council and Think Beyond Plastic™ are collaborating to produce a showcase featuring Canadian innovations that are consistent with resource-efficient, lifecycle management approach to plastics in the economy outlined in the G7 Ocean Plastics Charter. The Showcase will be part of the programming of the Zero Waste Conference taking place on October 30-31 in Vancouver, Canada
Scope and Focus
The Innovation Challenge is looking for innovations in design with focus on prevention, innovative business models that reduce waste and new materials in three critical areas:
(1) Food packaging (2) Textiles and (3) Marine Plastics
Specific Interest Areas
Food Packaging
Innovations that prevent food loss and waste while also contributing to reductions in packaging waste and GHG emissions, including:
Textiles
Innovations that prevent textiles from building up in our landfills and keep plastic microfibres out of our oceans, including:
Marine Plastics
Innovations in products and materials that prevent plastic waste in marine environments, including:
(1) Food packaging (2) Textiles and (3) Marine Plastics
Specific Interest Areas
Food Packaging
Innovations that prevent food loss and waste while also contributing to reductions in packaging waste and GHG emissions, including:
- Packaging materials and systems that prevent food loss and waste on the farm or at the point of processing, retail, or during food service;
- Innovative business models and product delivery systems that reduce the need for packaging or help minimize packaging, support more sustainable package design and use, or allow for more sustainable packaging material choice; and/or
- Packaging designed for business solutions that prevent packaging altogether.
Textiles
Innovations that prevent textiles from building up in our landfills and keep plastic microfibres out of our oceans, including:
- Material innovation- alternative fabrics with stretch and/or waterproof properties that are harmless to natural systems in case that shed fibres from washing unintentionally escapes into the environment; and/or
- Circular design, service and business models: that extend the life of existing textiles, including repair.
Marine Plastics
Innovations in products and materials that prevent plastic waste in marine environments, including:
- Material Innovation – material alternatives with similar performance to plastics that are harmless to natural systems in the case it unintentionally escapes collection and recovery systems.
- Green and sustainable chemistry – compounds and plasticizers, inks and dyes, coatings and adhesives.
- Manufacturing innovations – capacity to use new materials, integration of reverse logistics; labeling, storage and transportation;
- Circular design, services and business models – including innovative packaging design, innovative product delivery methods and all other solutions.
- Increased reusability and recyclability – innovations that enable traceability and improve ability to reuse and recycle materials, chemical reuse; and/or
- Waste management systems – logistics and business models ensuring collection of plastic items, and the removal/treatment of plastic microfibres in wastewater
Criteria for Selection
Innovations will be judged based on a combination of criteria derived from the resource-efficient, lifecycle management approach to plastics in the economy outlined in the G7 Ocean Plastics Charter and the National Zero Waste Council’s design principles for waste prevention and systems thinking. These design principles highlight crucial techniques to prevent and reduce waste at each stage of design and development. Waste is designed out of the system while making decisions on material sourcing, production and sale, envisioning and optimizing use, and finding post-use solutions that promote resource recovery.
For more information, visit Design Principles.
For more information, visit Design Principles.
Who can apply
Innovators living and / or working in Canada. We are open to a range of opportunities, from early-stage innovations to near-market solutions that have the potential to be funded and manufactured to scale.
Disclaimer
The content of the written submission for the Canadian Innovation Showcase is not intended for the use of, nor is intended to be relied upon, by any person, firm or corporation, other than the National Zero Waste Council and Think Beyond Plastic™ for the purpose of inclusion in the Canadian Innovation Showcase. The submission will not be released in whole or in part to any third party without the written consent of the Canadian Innovation Showcase applicant.
The 2019 Canadian Innovation Showcase has been made possible, in part, by Vancity.