contribute to a
zero-waste future?
Meet the participants
More than 190 students from 72 Universities in 33 countries are participating in the ReThink Waste Challenge. Their goal? To come up with a business idea or a prototype that contributes to a circular biobased economy.
It could be anything from a new material made out of biomass or a new technology to extract valuable products from biomass residue, to a more efficient production process or services that bring a zero-waste future one step closer.
From January until June 2023, with the support of top experts, they will develop their idea into a solid business proposition, ready to pitch to the jury and potential investors. Curious to learn more?
Meet the teams
Working together to make a difference!
At Wageningen University & Research top scientists and students from all over the world join forces to work on projects that make a difference to the quality of life. As the call for a circular, biobased economy is getting louder and louder we are working on solutions to make a reality. We run applied research programmes, support the transition in private-public partnership projects and offer numerous bio-economy courses. ReThink Waste Challenge is an unique initiative of Wageningen University & Research giving students from all over the world an opportunity to work on this important topic with support of over twenty industry leaders.
Check out WUR projects
Upcoming Events
Partners
Partners & participants about the Challenge
Gerard Ten Bolscher
Avebe
“These young and enthusiastic teams motivated us and gave us insights into what drives this generation”
Team AlgO
“This Challenge gave us a platform to co-create solutions with industry leaders”
Team Flypro
“We found a lot of interesting topics, amazing teams and inspring coaches”
Team mINC
“We really enjoyed sharing knowledge and experience with professionals in the field’”
Team Blue Chitin
“We were amazed by the enthusiasm of the coaches and companies”
Team Cultivated
“It was an amazing learning opportunity and felt like a first step towards an exciting career”
Henk Wymenga
Wageningen Ambassador
“Wow, such a network, so much energy, so much motivation”
Roland Snel
ADM
“I truly enjoyed the discussions”
Stephan Bouwman
Marel
“All the teams seemed very motivated with their projects. I have been inspired by their ideas”
News
First selection WUR ReThink Waste Challenge
The jury of the WUR ReThink Waste Challenge an international student competition organised by Wageningen University & Research has selected 18 teams from 27 submissions to advance to the second round. The candidates must now prove that their idea is technically...
Nearly 200 students from over the world join the quest for a zero-waste future with the WUR ReThink Waste Challenge
On 18 January, students will kick off the ReThink Waste Challenge, an international student competition looking for the next step towards a sustainable world without waste organized by Wageningen University & Research. The competing student teams will come up w...
Clean aviation fuel from waste wood and tomato stems
The aviation sector must work hard to reduce CO2 emissions. One way to achieve this is to replace standard aviation fuel (kerosene) with sustainable fuel. Wageningen Food & Biobased Research is working with private sector partners on developing...
Impact Partners
Organizers
The ReThink Waste is organized by Wageningen University & Research with support of a broad network of partners.
