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We rarely know what happens to our waste. Unsustainable manufacturing practices and the lack of systematic processes for collection and disposal have generated a global waste crisis, particularly in the developing world. This year's applications show radical approaches that create new opportunities, from changing our usual waste habits to promoting circular manufacturing processes and developing biomaterials that give new life to waste. Whilst individually they may be just small steps, together they mark a real shift towards a more sustainable life on Earth.

Airtomo Air Purification System

Airtomo Air Purification System

Health and Well-being

National University of Singapore

A new, nature-inspired system to purify air in underground environments

Arabic Eco-font For the Government

Arabic Eco-font For the Government

Plastic waste reduction

German University in Cairo

A new font that maintains readability whilst saving ink and reducing plastic waste

Autoweeder

Autoweeder

Work and Economic Growth

Lund University

An affordable, small weeding robot to help small farms run more efficiently

Bacterial Dye – the Pigment of the Future

Bacterial Dye – the Pigment of the Future

Water and Sanitation

KADK – The Royal Danish Academy

Using bacteria to create natural dyes and reduce the need for toxic chemicals

Bale saver 2.0

Bale saver 2.0

Work and Economic Growth

Tshwane University of Technology

An affordable solution to keep hay bales dry and extend their lifespan

CANTELA

CANTELA

Energy

De La Salle University

A solar powered street lighting system providing internet connectivity that improves urban safety

Chlorophyll – Film

Chlorophyll – Film

Work and Economic Growth

Royal College of Art

Using biomaterials to control pests and improve the efficiency of small scale salad farming

Cultive

Cultive

Water and Sanitation

Imperial College London

A distributed system of soil sensors to facilitate efficient water management in farms of any size

Dateform

Dateform

Work and Economic Growth

Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI)

A new system to process date farming byproducts into a range of upcycled materials

Dew Sail

Dew Sail

Water and Sanitation

Bournemouth University

A new device to harvest dew in situations of water shortage

Earth Tatva

Earth Tatva

Recycling

National Institute of Design, India

Using the byproduct of ceramic production to produce new usable materials

Effects of Replacing Cement by Date Palm Trees Wastes on Concrete Performance

Effects of Replacing Cement by Date Palm Trees Wastes on Concrete Performance

Concrete

University of Buraimi

Using Palm leaves fibres and ash to reduce cement content in concrete

EZ Breezy

EZ Breezy

Energy

Harvard University

A smart vent to regulate indoor temperature and humidity in an efficient way without using electricity

For durian – by durian

For durian – by durian

Biomaterials

National University of Singapore

New packaging material made from durian to reduce the need for styrofoam

Invisible Heroes

Invisible Heroes

Sustainable fashion

Bangalore University

Hard-wearing, protective clothing for waste-handlers made of organic fabric

Mossy

Mossy

Water and Sanitation

IED – Istituto Europeo di Design (Madrid)

Bringing moss to city environments to monitor pollution and clean air in a natural way at the same time

Papua Noken Material as Alternative Products

Papua Noken Material as Alternative Products

Biomaterials

Universitas Pelita Harapan

Using traditional Papua weaving techniques to make new products from wood fibres

PET Sandals

PET Sandals

Poverty and Hunger

Makerere University

Accessible technology to turn plastic waste into affordable shoes

Plastibank

Plastibank

Cities and Communities

The Glasgow School of Art

A plastic exchange system to encourage communities to collect and recycle

Plus Minus 25º

Plus Minus 25º

Energy

University of the Arts Berlin (UdK – Berlin)

A temperature regulating curtain system that works without electricity

Potential energies

Potential energies

Water and Sanitation

École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle (ENSCI)

Using water evaporation and composting to create natural cooling and warming systems

Receipts recycling factory

Receipts recycling factory

Recycling

East China Normal University

Short range recycling solution to turn coffee shops’ waste into paper cup sleeves

SALLUMINATOR

SALLUMINATOR

Water and Sanitation

Art University of Isfahan

A responsive urban lighting system powered only by salt water

Samarth | Modular air purification system

Samarth | Modular air purification system

Cities and Communities

Industrial Design Centre (IDC), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

A modular air purification system that does not rely on filters to bring clean air to large cities

SEEDCUP

SEEDCUP

Biomaterials

University of Applied Sciences (FH) Joanneum

Recycled coffee cups made from coffee grounds to reduce the use of paper and plastic

SNUGG Reusable Compostable Diapers

SNUGG Reusable Compostable Diapers

Health and Well-being

University of Johannesburg

A compostable and reusable diaper made of recycled fabric

The Biorecycling Machine

The Biorecycling Machine

Health and Well-being

University of New South Wales

Using the metabolism of the body to recycle 3D printing plastic waste

The Sound of Turbulence

The Sound of Turbulence

Cities and Communities

Central Academy of Fine Arts

Transforming pollution into sound with a musical instrument that makes us aware of our environment

The Tyre Collective

The Tyre Collective

Mobility

Royal College of Art

A system to capture and recycle micro particles of rubber from tyre usage, reducing dispersal in the environment

The Ventnor Brickworks

The Ventnor Brickworks

Sustainable construction

Imperial College London

A new carbon negative, low cost brick to make construction more sustainable

Tube 7 – Modular Lamp Design

Tube 7 – Modular Lamp Design

Energy

National Cheng Kung University

A kit to let anyone turn plastic bottles into light sculptures