Deadline: 4-Jul-22
The Alliance to End Plastic Waste, the Global Plastic Action Partnership and The Incubation Network have partnered to launch the Plastic Waste to Value Southeast Asia Challenge to address waste management and circular solutions in the region and to identify high-impact solutions around recycling and upcycling.
With approximately 8 million tonnes of plastic waste leaking into the ocean every year, urgent action is needed. Under the ‘business-as-usual’ scenario, the volume of waste entering the environment will increase by three times by 2040. This is largely due to the fact that more than 3 billion people lack access to adequate waste management systems leading to mismanaged plastic waste that is either burnt, dumped or washed away into the oceans.
Focus Areas
They are calling for innovative ventures that address plastic waste management in Southeast Asia with a focus around recycling and upcycling. Target countries in the region include Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Submissions should tackle one or several of the following focus areas:
- Increasing the amount of plastic waste managed, processed and/or recycled by small and medium enterprises
- How might the solution optimize the usage of technology for plastic waste management processes?
- How might the solution increase the recycling of post-consumer plastic waste?
- Supporting the operational improvement of plastic waste management and recycling in small and medium enterprises
- How might the solution use technology to improve and advance digitalization in waste management operations?
- How might the solution improve traceability of feedstock in the production of recycled plastic?
- Improving working conditions at small and medium enterprises involved in plastic waste management and recycling
- How might the solution support the upskilling of the workforce, in particular informal workers?
- How might the solution promote environmental compliance?
What the challenge offers?
- Cohort program: Designed by UpLink and SecondMuse
- Access: Opportunity to participate in selected events, communities and projects led by the implementing and supporting partners
- Connections: Introduction to selected organizations and networks
- Visibility: Increased reach via the Alliance to End Plastic Waste’s, World Economic Forum’s and SecondMuse’s digital media channels
- Grant opportunity: Participants will have the opportunity to win grants for growing their solution
Criteria
- Type: Successful submissions must be beyond the ideation or prototype phase, with a measurable track record toward impact and scale. Current UpLink Top Innovators are primarily selected once they’ve reached the pilot to growth/scale phase of their operations.
- Stage: Priority is given to for-profit start-up companies or social enterprises with a sustainable funding model. Not-for-profit organizations with a clearly defined, revenue generating project may also be considered.
- Scale: Innovations should demonstrate the potential and desire to scale, and have a vision for achieving long-term financial viability, impact, and sustainability.
- Geographical scope: The solution must be operating or planning to scale in at least one of the target countries.
For more information, visit https://www.incubationnetwork.com/programs/plastic-waste-to-value-challenge/