Waste Challenge: Innovate to Eliminate
A competition to tackle real-world waste management problems
Event Details
EMAHK is organizing our first open competition. The topic is Waste Challenge: Innovate to Eliminate.
The objective of this competition is to arouse the interest of the community in Hong Kong's waste management problems. We invite interested parties to form teams of 3-5 members and join this exciting event. Participating teams will work on a real-world problem from a Case Sponsor and develop an innovative and practical solution.
Solutions may be from various angles, including:
- Use of technology
- Behavioural changes
- Operational changes
Teams will enter in one of the following categories:
- Student category
- Open category
This competition will provide participants with real-world experience. They will receive feedback and recommendations from experts, and have the opportunity to share with and learn from other teams.
Key dates for the competition:
Nov 1, 2024 to Feb 22, 2025 GMT+8
Add to CalendarParticipants and Teams
Each team of 3-5 members will apply under either the Student or Open Category
Student Category
- For current full-time post-secondary students (may have 1 member who is not a full-time student)
Open Category
- For current practitioners, part-time students, and the general public
- For teams with 2 or more members who are not full-time students
All participants must be 18 years of age or older
Benefits of joining this competition
How to Join
Join the competition in a few easy steps:
- Form a team of 3-5 member and decide on a team name
- Download the registration form (scroll down to the Documents section)
- Pay the relevant registration fee
- Upload the required information to the registration portal
Cases
Each team will work with one of the Case Sponsors on a real-world problem
- ChinaChem Group - Topic to be confirmed
- Hysan Development Company Limited - Innovating waste management solutions for commercial buildings at community scale
- Nan Fung Group - Designing a closed-loop system: Connecting commercial buildings and neighborhoods for environmental and social impact
- The Great Eagle Group - Beyond oyster-based solutions: extension programme for engagement and applications
Briefings and site visits will be arranged in December 2024
Selection and confirmation of the assigned cases will take place after all site visits are completed
Judging Panel and Criteria
The Judging Panel consists of the following industry experts:
- Mr. Simon Ng – Chair, EMAHK
- Prof. Ar. Wong Kam Sing, GBS, JP – Chairman, Wu Zhi Qiao; Former Secretary for the Environment (2012-2022)
- Mr. Edwin Lau – Founder and Executive Director, The Green Earth
- Senior Management from Case Sponsors
All solutions will be evaluated and scored in the following 6 areas:
- Impact (30%)
- Innovation (20%)
- Technical feasibility (20%)
- Economic attractiveness (15%)
- Team collaboration and diversity (10%)
- Presentation (5%)
The scoring rubric will be provided to registered teams.
Prizes
Prizes are awarded for the following:
- Outstanding Solutions Award: Student Category
- Outstanding Solutions Award: Open Category
- Waste Challenger: Most innovative solution
- Waste Eliminator: Most impactful solution
- Best Business Model Award: Most feasible and quick-win solution
Experiential prizes include:
- Coffee chat with senior executive
- Mentoring session with senior executive
- Special visits not open to the public
- Tickets for environment related conferences and courses
All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation
Fees
The registration fee for each category:
- Student - $300 per person
- Open - $500 per person
The registration fee includes, for each team member:
- EMAHK annual membership fee for 2025
- For non-members, complimentary Affiliate Membership valued at $200 is included
- For EMAHK members, the 2025 membership fee for the current membership tier is waived, valued up to $500
- A seat at the award dinner
- Prizes for winning teams
