Challenging Plastic Waste
Three €50,000 prizes awarded by the European Commission for the most innovative projects designed to reduce plastic waste.
This year the European Social Innovation Competition will reward the most innovative approaches to reducing plastic waste and improving re-use and recycling of plastic at a systemic level. In particular we are interested in projects that contribute to the following areas:
- Reducing the consumption of single use plastic products
- Recycling, reusing, and upcycling existing plastic waste
- Dealing with accumulated plastic waste in landfills and the environment
- Changing consumer behaviours, retail and wider business practices to reduce levels of plastic waste or
- Increase recycling and re-use
- Implementing alternative business models and optimising supply chains to reduce plastic waste or
- Increase recycling and re-use
- Introducing new materials fit for a circular economy, that offer sustainable alternatives to fossil-based plastics
Launched in memory of social innovation pioneer Diogo Vasconcelos, the European Social Innovation Competition is a challenge prize run by the European Commission across all EU Member States and Horizon 2020 Associated Countries. Now in its 7th year, the Competition acts as a beacon for social innovators in Europe, employing a proven methodology for supporting early-stage ideas and facilitating a network of radical innovators shaping society for the better. Each year the Competition is based around a different issue facing Europe. This year, the focus is: Challenging Plastic Waste.
