The global No Waste Challenge award received 1,409 innovative projects from all over the world, a record number among the editions of the challenge promoted by the global platform What Design Can Do, which this year received support from Oceana in Brazil. Of the total enrolled, 115 projects present solutions for the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
“This great participation shows that people are thinking about solutions to transform our consumption habits, reducing waste and impacts on the ocean, such as plastic pollution,” says Lara Iwanicki, manager of the Oceana Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign at Oceana and member of the Award Selection Committee.
One of the consequences of the current model of linear production economy is the generation of a large amount of waste that, in part, ends up in the ocean. A study carried out by Oceana in 2020 estimates that only Brazil pollutes marine waters with 325 thousand tons of plastic per year, generating negative impacts for marine life, for human health and more directly for people who depend on the sea for food and generate income.
SELECTION
In the coming weeks, more than 100 creative and industrial leaders from various sectors will join the No Waste Challenge Selection Committee. They will be tasked with reaching a list of 10 finalists for each of the briefings, which will be released on May 27, 2021. In addition to Rio & São Paulo, there are specific briefings for Amsterdam, Delhi, Mexico City, Nairobi and Tokyo.
Proposals sent will be evaluated based on the four main criteria: Impact, Creativity, Feasibility and Scalability. The winning project is expected to be announced on July 15, 2021.
For Richard van der Laken, creative director of What Design Can Do, the sheer number of entries reflects the ability of the creative industries to take on some of the world’s most pressing issues. “I am impressed with the level of commitment and innovation that we saw in this open call,” he says. “Creatives are taking on our waste problem from all angles. It is a sign of powerful change, and it gives me hope,” he adds.
Selection Committee for Brazilian projects:
Amanda Costa, from Perifa Sustentável
Baron Di Sarno and Levi Girardi, from QuesttoNó Manyone
Beatriz Luz, from the Circular Economy Hub Brazil
Fabricio Goulart, from Feitosa Gourmet
Gustavo Pinheiro, from the Climate and Society Institute
Helena Terzella, from AMLURB / São Paulo City Hall
Lara Iwanicki, from Oceana Brasil
Lucas Nieto Climate Ventures
Luciana Pellegrino, from ABRE
Ludovica Leone, from Estúdio Guto Requena
Marcela Sabino Museum of Tomorrow / IDG
Tania Sassioto I Recycle
Bebel Abreu, from Mandacaru (coordination)
Alexandre Fernandes, from MoTI / IDG
Carol Piccin, from MateriaLab, is part of the global selection committee
For more information, visit: https://nowaste.whatdesigncando.com/