contribute to a
zero-waste future?
Join us at the Grand Finals!
6 months ago, 190 students from 33 different countries started their journey with the ReThink Waste Challenge to come up with a circular and biobased innovation to reduce, reuse or recycle waste. After two milestone reports, entrepreneurial trainings and several workshops, only 46 of them are still in the competition. The top 10 teams will face the Jury during the Grand Finals.
Join us on 21 June in Omnia to meet the young entrepreneurs, innovators and companies leading the transition towards biobased economy! You will witness the reveal of the winner, vote for your favourite team and engage with keynote speakers Ugne Dirdaite (EU Bioeconomy Youth Ambassador) and prof. Cees Leeuwis (WUR) to make the transition happen. We promise you fun, inspiration and goosebumps from excitement.
Find out more
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
Human capital indispensable for scaling up biobased production
Over the past 30 years, WUR has co-developed many new circular products. Many of these are still in the market 10-20 years after launch. Think of circular packaging coatings, pet toys, planting pots, biobased car tires and green insulation materials. But also safe ...
Discussing our zero waste future with student innovators during the ReThink Waste Challenge
The student teams competing in the ReThink Waste Challenge have received essential advice from industry experts. It has taken their ideas to the next level by honing in on the essence of their innovation, challenging them to communicate ...
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...
Impact Partners
Organizers
The ReThink Waste is organized by Wageningen University & Research with support of a broad network of partners.
