Waste Circularity Across Industries
The Acceleration Challenge is a call to action for startups and innovators to rethink waste and design circular solutions. It focuses on industries with significant environmental impact while remaining open to entries from all sectors—because every idea counts in building a sustainable future.
Plastics Reimagined
Plastic waste is one of the most pressing global challenges, with over 300 million tons generated annually—and only 9% of it being recycled. From packaging to household items, single-use plastics dominate landfills and waterways. This category seeks solutions that:
- Reduce plastic waste at the source through alternative materials.
- Reimagine plastic reuse, such as transforming waste into construction materials or durable goods.
- Close the loop on recycling by improving collection, processing, and marketability.
Fabric Futures
The global fashion and textile industry produces 92 million tons of waste annually, much of which ends up in landfills or incinerated. Pakistan, with its textile-rich economy, faces unique challenges and opportunities in this sector. This category looks for innovations such as:
- Upcycling discarded fabrics into high-value goods.
- Developing eco-friendly dyes and processes to reduce industrial waste.
- Creating closed-loop systems for garment recycling, from collection to production.
Paper Possibilities
Paper and cardboard waste make up 26% of landfill material, contributing significantly to deforestation and resource depletion. Although recyclable, much paper waste remains untapped. This category supports ideas that:
- Transform paper waste into new products, such as packaging or stationery.
- Promote innovative recycling methods that reduce energy use and waste.
- Explore digital alternatives to paper in education, business, and government sectors.
Compost Innovators
Globally, 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted annually, with much of it ending up in landfills, releasing methane gas. In Pakistan, food and organic waste contribute significantly to urban waste. This category champions solutions that:
- Convert food waste into nutrient-rich compost for agriculture.
- Create energy from organic waste using anaerobic digestion or similar technologies.
- Engage communities in composting practices, reducing household waste.
E-Waste Revolution
With 50 million tons of e-waste generated yearly, and only 17% properly recycled, electronic waste is an urgent environmental issue. Toxic materials like lead and mercury harm ecosystems while valuable metals like gold and copper go to waste. This category invites solutions that:
- Extend the life cycle of electronics through repair or modular design.
- Recover precious metals and components from discarded devices.
- Create scalable systems for e-waste collection and recycling in Pakistan.
Sustainable Structures
The construction and demolition sector generates 30% of global waste, making it a critical area for circular solutions. In Pakistan, urbanization accelerates construction waste, but sustainable practices can create value. This category focuses on:
- Reusing materials like bricks, cement, and wood to reduce landfill contributions.
- Incorporating recycled content into building materials for eco-friendly designs.
- Developing modular and deconstructable structures to enable easier reuse.
Sustainable Harvests
Agricultural activities produce a wide range of waste, from crop residues to livestock by-products. Improper handling contributes to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This category encourages ideas that:
- Repurpose agricultural by-products into bioenergy, biochar, or bioplastics.
- Support sustainable farming practices that minimize waste.
- Innovate storage and processing methods to reduce crop spoilage.
Your Industry Matters Too
These categories highlight key areas of opportunity, but innovation has no boundaries. Whether you’re working in packaging, healthcare, energy, or any other sector, if your solution drives waste circularity, we want to hear from you. Join us in creating a sustainable future—one idea, one industry at a time.
