Creative Waste Management Solutions

U.S. Department of State and Partners Solicit Creative Waste Management Solutions

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 3, 2012

The U.S. Department of State and partners from the LAUNCH: Beyond Waste Forum announce a challenge to identify ten game-changing innovations with the potential to transform current waste management systems and practices. LAUNCH: Beyond Waste seeks transformational solutions to the problem of waste through disruptive innovation, behavioral change, systems design, as well as improved policy and stewardship.

The challenge, which will be open from April 1 to May 15, 2012, asks creative minds to formulate innovative ideas for minimizing waste or transforming it into new products. As the global population increases and consumption trends continue to rise, the importance of sustainable materials management practices cannot be ignored. Safe and environmentally-sound management of waste is essential to conserving natural resources and preventing pollution, improving the health and well-being of global citizens and the environment and helping to prevent conflicts that can stem from resource inequality and poverty.

Ten innovators will be selected to present their technology solutions at the LAUNCH: Beyond Waste sustainability forum hosted by NASA from July 20-22 at the Agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. State Department, along with leaders from a diverse and collaborative world-class body of entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, government, media and business, will participate in the forum and help guide these innovations forward. The selectees will receive support, mentoring, and networking opportunities from influential business and government leaders.

The State Department, NASA, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and NIKE joined together to form LAUNCH in an effort to identify, showcase and support innovative approaches to global sustainability challenges. LAUNCH searches for visionaries whose world-class ideas, technologies or programs show great promise for making tangible impacts on society in the developed and developing worlds.

For more information about LAUNCH or to enter the Beyond Waste Challenge, visit: http://launchorg/forum/11/beyond-waste.

ENDS

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