Hunter Hub Solutions Lab - Zero Waste Challenge
A 3-day virtual challenge to help UCalgary become a zero waste campus.
This Year's Winning Teams
From May 14–16, 75 undergrads, graduate students, and post-doctoral scholars from 10 faculties gathered virtually to help solve a problem at the University of Calgary: how to reach the ambitious goal of becoming a zero-waste campus by 2030.
Thank you to all of the students who participated in our first Zero Waste Challenge, and congratulations to the four winning teams. We look forward to welcoming you all again at a future challenge.
Team #8
Sina Aminbeidokhti, Hannah Gillis, Bhavika Gupta & Kyaradane Reynoso
Team #18
Vivian Huynh, Amanda Lin & Hannah Muncal
Team # 13
Amanda Dickson, Andrew Hui, & Jennifer Konno
Team #19
Anuradha Batabyal, Diana Kagan & Veronica Rivi
How will we become a zero waste campus by 2030?
You can make an impact with your knowledge and ideas. We are looking for aspiring changemakers who want to help UCalgary meet its ambitious goal of becoming a zero waste campus. We'll provide you with challenges that stand in our way, and your team will propose feasible and impactful solutions to help us overcome them. Don't have a team? No problem! We'll connect you with other amazing students to work with.
Why participate?
- Generate solutions that can have a real impact at the University of Calgary
- Develop entrepreneurial thinking skills to become future ready for any career
- Network with experts in the field who are advancing sustainability in Calgary
- Hear from a leading keynote speaker about circular economies
- Compete for a share of $3,000 in cash prizes
Who is this for?
- Undergraduate students
- Graduate students
- Post-doctoral scholars
The Hunter Hub Solutions Lab - Zero Waste Challenge is presented by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking in partnership with Facilities Management, the Office of Sustainability and the Sustainable Energy Development Program.
Registration is now closed.
Help us advance SDG 12 on campus!
Challenge Schedule
May 14, 2021
5:00pm
Keynote address by Melissa Gorrie, President and Co-Founder of Waste Free Edmonton
May 14, 2021
6:00pm
Presenting UCalgary's Zero Waste Strategy
May 15, 2021
11:00am
Presentations and Q&A with community leaders
May 15, 2021
3:00pm
Project development workshop
May 16, 2021
11:00am
Feedback from UCalgary sustainability leaders
May 16, 2021
5:00pm
Submission deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that has not been addressed here, or you require help with the challenge, please reach out to hunterhub@ucalgary.ca.
UCalgary aims to be a zero-waste campus by 2030. As part of our forthcoming strategy that will guide this work, there are a number of important objectives that need to be met. From improving engagement and education, to developing new diversion strategies, to creating insightful data modelling, and negotiating systems governance; accomplishing our goal will require the ideas and knowledge of changemakers from diverse backgrounds.
More details will be shared at the beginning of the Zero Waste Challenge on May 14.
Up to 4 people can be part of one team. Please register your entire team at once, so that each registration shows up altogether.
Yes, individuals are allowed to register for the Zero Waste Challenge. We will group individuals together to form a team. This is a great way to meet new people and to learn how to work in interdisciplinary groups (a very important skill for future careers).
Yes, if you are a student at another post-secondary institution, you're welcome to join us for this challenge!
After the keynote speaker on May 14, all teams will receive information about our zero waste strategy, learning materials about circular economies, and support documents including innovation tools you can use to brainstorm ideas, develop solutions, and prepare your presentation.
You will be provided with contact details to connect with event organizers. If you experience any problems during the challenge, we encourage you to get in touch with us.
Each team will be asked to submit a final project proposal that aligns with the scoring rubric which will be provided at the start of the competition.
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges who will score student submissions against the evaluation criteria.
All timelines in MST
At the beginning of the challenge, participants will be provided with a detailed outline of what they are asked to submit, along with scoring criteria.
Teams will have until 5:00 PM on May 16 to submit a video and a 1-page brief outlining their proposal. Participants will be provided with a Dropbox link during the challenge where they can submit their work.
Video submission parameters:
- Please include in the subject line: Zero Waste Challenge Proposal Video <YOUR TEAM NAME>
- The opening of your video should introduce your team members and their backgrounds. This can be done however you would like as long as the information is present.
- Videos should not be longer than 5 minutes.
Written brief parameters:
- Please include in the subject line: Zero Waste Challenge Proposal Brief <YOUR TEAM NAME>
- We ask that briefs be limited to 1 page, and submitted with a minimum font size of 11, with 2.54cm margins.
Any proposals submitted after 5:00 PM on May 16 will not be considered for submission.
For any questions, please contact hunterhub@ucalgary.ca
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