The Green Alley Award is about to celebrate its 10th year anniversary, having recognized a number of innovative companies over the course of the decade. These companies have shifted our perception of what can be done to address the issue of waste and moved us closer to a greener, more sustainable future. All previous recipients of the award have helped to pave the way for change. Some of the developments that have been commended include faux leather that’s woven from waste gelatine, packaging that’s grown from fungi, and electricity storage systems that are powered by old EV batteries. These innovations promote a greener and more sustainable future.
RePack was the winner of the inaugural Green Alley Award way back in 2014. It was formed to tackle the voluminous problem of packaging waste from shopping on the internet. Instead of one-use plastics, RePack offers durable bags, envelopes, and wallets made from recycled polypropylene. They’re designed to be used again and again. To date, the company has clocked up more than half a million reuse cycles. The remarkable thing about RePack is that it appears unremarkable in the midst of several other outstanding innovators who have been recognized by the Green Alley Award. These companies have broken new ground in fields such as bioplastics, insulation, low carbon building materials, and many more. They are all providing solutions that disrupt the accepted system of making products that are consumed and then dumped at considerable cost to the planet.
The idea for the awards was first conceived by Jan Patrick Schulz, CEO of the Germany-based Landbell Group, ten years ago. This was in response to the urgent need to curb our run-away use of resources by switching to a circular economy. Starting out as a local waste disposal company in 1995, Landbell has evolved into a closed loop innovator that operates in over 60 countries. The company provides take-back schemes and advisory services to help other businesses hit their sustainability targets, while ensuring they meet environmental regulations. In the process, hundreds of thousands of tonnes of batteries, packaging, and e-waste are collected each year. The company’s mantra is to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Through the Green Alley Awards, Landbell showcases visionary entrepreneurs who are pioneering eco-friendly materials and turning rubbish into useful resources.
Back in 2014, just 79 firms took aim at the award’s €7k top prize. This year, the winner will receive a cash windfall of €25k. Judges have the task of whittling down 339 hopefuls to a mere five who will compete in a live-pitching event at the Grand Finale in Berlin set to take place on April 25th. They’ll be joined by a sixth finalist chosen by public vote from a long list of 20. The list includes innovators making skincare products from coffee grounds, bridges from old wind turbine blades, and new building materials from waste glass. The event means more than just a chance at a juicy prize pot, it’s an opportunity to showcase the finalist’s work and network with potential investors, collaborators, and other eco-entrepreneurs.
As we grapple with the climate crisis and dwindling resources, the potential impact of circularity projects could be huge. Research by the World Bank shows that the demand for natural resources is outstripping the planet’s capacity to regenerate them. It also mentions that in Europe, the share of resources derived from recycled waste increased by almost 50% in the two decades up to 2022. Additionally, ambitious circular economy policies could decouple economic growth from the use of raw materials by 2032. The Green Alley Awards showcase the potential of circular economy start-ups to revolutionize the way in which we discard waste and contribute to a more sustainable future
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