Let’s take a closer look at the nominees for each of the five Challenge cities, starting with Mexico City. For Mexico’s capital, the leading question was: How can we encourage people to treat waste as a resource in homes and workplaces across the city?
This sprawling metropolis has struggled with waste for many years. The city generates 12,920 tonnes of garbage every day, with almost 90% of it ending up in landfills. But Mexico City is now in a position to be an example for the region. Building on political momentum, we called on designers to imagine new narratives, services, products, spaces and systems to rethink the waste cycle in Mexico City. We were thrilled to receive more than 80 innovative ideas. After a rigorous selection process, 2 projects were nominated for the Student Track, 4 for the Professional Track and 6 for the Startup Track.
01. PEL
SUBMITTED BY CLAUS KLINCKWORT | NOMINEE STUDENT TRACK
PEL is a new typology of disposable plate that is designed to be 100% biodegraworks through peelable layers. The product is 100% biodegradable, designed to reach all supermarkets in the city. → go to project page
02. BIOGRÜN: CREATING SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES
SUBMITTED BY VALERIA NOVA | NOMINEE STUDENT TRACK
Biogrün is an ecosystem of products and services, including a mobile app and four units designed to prevent and reduce food waste in an urban context. → go to project page
03. [IN] VISIBLE WASTE
SUBMITTED BY ANA ZUÑIGA | NOMINEE PROFESSIONAL TRACK
The [in] VISIBLE WASTE project tackles the issue of garbage reduction in Mexico City by creating a platform that centralizes the already more than 250 existing local initiatives that promote sustainable waste disposal practices. → go to project page
04. COMPO: A CITY COMPOSTING SYSTEM
SUBMITTED BY FRAME DESIGN STUDIO | NOMINEE PROFESSIONAL TRACK
The CompO system is a user-friendly chain of products and services that aims to reduce the organic waste in México City, by improving the existing separation and collection system and creating awareness. → go to project page
05. ESCUELA PROMESA: THE SUSTAINABLE SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
SUBMITTED BY MARIO BRINGAS | NOMINEE PROFESSIONAL TRACK
The ‘Escuela Promesa’ program currently runs in 200 schools and universities in the México City metropolitan area. This program aims to create a true environmental culture within schools, through educational and economic incentives like an online voluntary Certificate. → go to project page
06. REBUILDING MEXICO, CLEANING OUR COUNTRY
SUBMITTED BY ANA ZUÑIGA | NOMINEE PROFESSIONAL TRACK
We are a civil organization that was born after the earthquake of September 19, 2017 in Mexico, with the purpose of building homes for those affected by this earthquake, but in a conscious and ecological way using PET bottles. → go to project page
07. ECOPLASO: FOOD WASTE UPCYCLING
SUBMITTED BY BARBARA ARTEAGA | NOMINEE STARTUP TRACK
Ecoplaso transforms fruits and vegetables peels and scraps (organic waste) into bioplastic, 3d printing filaments and vegetable-based leather. → go to project page
08. PLAN E: CHARITY SECOND-HAND SHOP
SUBMITTED BY OLGA SMIRNOVA | NOMINEE STARTUP TRACK
Plan E is a charity shop aimed at addressing both textile waste and economic inequality in México City. People are encouraged to donate clothes, shoes and accessories. One part of the donations will be given to local NGOs to meet the needs of vulnerable social groups. → go to project page
09. CIRCULAR COMMUNITIES FOR HOUSING
SUBMITTED BY RUSHABH CHHEDA | NOMINEE STARTUP TRACK
Using local plastic and glass waste to create simple stackable building blocks, the design empowers communities to build their own homes, making housing construction simpler, cheaper, faster and more sustainable. → go to project page
10. BIO PET FOR ENERGY
SUBMITTED BY MINERVA CAMACHO | NOMINEE STARTUP TRACK
This project synthesizes a biodegradable film from discarded PET bottles, for use in the construction of a solar biopanel. The microalgae and nanofluids within the panel help to optimize its operation, absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen. → go to project page
11. ECOLANA
SUBMITTED BY LISSETH CORDERO | NOMINEE STARTUP TRACK
Ecolana aims to be the ultimate guide for recycling in México City. The platform provides access to information and builds connections between two types of communities: recycling heroes (citizens) and recycling centers (collectors). → go to project page
12. VITAGAS
SUBMITTED BY GABRIELA PEREZ | NOMINEE STARTUP TRACK
Vitagas is a household digester that transforms organic waste into biogas. The digester generates enough biogas to supply several families with a rate of consumption of 1kg waste = 1hr worth of cooking gas. → go to project page
What’s next?
On the 6th of March, after the final judgement by the international jury, the winners of the Clean Energy Challenge will be announced during a special edition of the talkshow Stadsleven of Tracy Metz in Pakhuis de Zwijger. Visit our platform for more information about the timeline, and to view all the submissions in our project gallery.