I:CO AWARD
rethink. recycle. reward.
Research Prize 2010
“From Recycling to Cycling – Continuous Product Circulation”
Award ceremony for the best recycling concepts for shoes and textiles.
Do you have an idea how disused shirts could be transformed into coffee filters? Maybe you know the formula to the 100-percent recycling of shoe soles? If so, apply now for the I:CO Award – the international Research Prize in the field of shoe and textile recycling!
The I:CO AWARD is being awarded by I:COllect AG and EPEA International Environmental Research GmbH. As of 2010, this prize will be awarded every two years in honor of excellent, experimental and innovative scientific work, with the aim or result of keeping textiles and shoes in a continuous cycle of circulation. For the first time ever, the I:CO AWARD will be awarded in Spring 2011 at the Nutec trade show.
The prize will be awarded with 5,000 euros.
The best recycling ideas in the categories, Product Idea (biological and/or technical) and concept Idea (system and services), will be awarded. Candidacy for the I:CO AWARD can be fashioned freely from your own ideas. It is important that the idea you submit relates to textiles or shoes; e.g.:
- the introduction into a cycle of circulation
Product Idea: “A new transport box for used clothes and shoes as a valuable raw material”
Concept Idea: “shoe recycling by post” - maintained in a cycle of circulation
Product Idea: “Keeping 100 percent of garments and shoes in a cycle of circulation.”
Concept Idea: “Leasing shoes and clothes” or “flat-rate for shoe repairs” - conversion of products already in the cycle
Product Idea: “How to convert shoes into chairs.”
Concept Idea: “Permanently changing consumer and company conscience to always think sustainably.”
Apply now for the 2010 I:CO AWARD! Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2011. We welcome your suggestion on recycling ideas for shoes and/or textiles! Simply send us the signed and completed registration form; with your application include a maximum two-page summary in German and/or English showing the current state of research on the topic, the participant´s research approach and the results achieved. Additional information can be found under the Terms of Participation.
Initiators
The I:CO AWARD is presented by I:Collect AG, headquartered in Baar, Switzerland and the EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung GmbH), head office in Hamburg, Germany. The prize money, 5,000 Euros, is donated by I:CO´s affiliates ADLER Modemärkte, MISTER MINIT, RENO, Stichweh Dry Cleaners, Vögele Shoes, Bingo-Schuh-Discount and MAX Shoes.
Jury
The I:CO AWARD jury consists of the following members:
Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart: EPEA International Environmental Research GmbH, Hamburg
Dr. Peter Donath: former Leader for environment, health and security of Ciba Spezialitätenchemie, Huttingen/Efringen-Kirchen
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Gege: B.A.U.M., German Federal Research Group for Environmentally-Conscious Management inc., Hamburg
Dr. Andreas Hofmann-Dally: Ev. Akademie Loccum Head, 1993 to 2007, Adviser for Ecological Strategies, Geneva since 2007
Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Korte: Associate Professor for Ecological Chemistry and former. Manager of the Institute of Ecological Chemistry in the GSF Research Centre for Environment and Health of the University of Technology, Munich, Attenkirchen
Dr. Inge Paulini: Secretary General, Scientific Advisory Board of the Federal Government Global Environmental Changes (WBGU), Berlin
Dr. Christoph Schwingenstein: founding member of "Children For A Better World", Board of Directors of the Environmental Academy in Munich
Jens Soth: Helvetas Swiss Society for International Cooperation, Zurich
Prof. Christiane Wöhler: WELCOME TO ANOTHER PLANET, Ottersberg
An additional delegation of I:CO partners companies is also on the jury.
Selection Criteria
- Innovation Character: Oriented to the everyday needs of the people. Products, concepts, new services etc., that help the environment and open new opportunities for the economy.
- Creativity (basic idea, concept character)
- Character of the innovation (what distinguishes this idea from already existing or similar ideas?)
- Design (user-friendliness, aesthetic aspects)
- Market Potential: The greatest drive for the environment exists in ideas which can be used directly in the market, generate work and increase sales; and in so, make the world a better place.
- Application / Usability
- Market Use (in regard of utilization and developmental infrastructure)
- Scalability (up-scaling & down-scaling)
- Ecological Effectiveness & Cradle to Cradle: Products in an endless cycle of circulation change the world with lasting effects. The world needs new products and new ideas for the endless cycle to work:
- Products are developed for the spheres of biology or technology
- "Product life" is known and defined
- Materials are clearly defined (or in process of being so defined)
- Supplier network is known
- Concept Ideas? Leasing? Service? Cycling?
- Logistics? How can cycling actually be implemented?
The retail and trade industry have shown great interest in the I:CO AWARD and would like to put the most interesting concepts and projects into practice.
Additional Information
Contact
Please send your submission letters to the following address. You will also receive additional information regarding the Research Prize through the I:CO AWARD press office:
Anna-Lena Band,
John Warning Corporate Communications GmbH
Gurlittstr. 28, D-20099 Hamburg
Telephone: +49 (0) 40 533 088 87
E-Mail: a.band@johnwarning.de
