31 October & 01 November 2024

TU Dublin President’s Sustainability Innovation Challenge

What is the TU Dublin President’s Sustainability Innovation Challenge?

• TU Dublin President’s Sustainability Innovation Challenge is an invitation to TU Dublin students across all faculties and campuses to come together at the TU Dublin Grangegorman campus to a hackathon event where you will work together to brainstorm ideas to positively impact on a global problem. 
• Last year the focus of the Innovation Challenge was on the challenge of fast fashion. This year we are taking on the challenge of Electronic Waste or E-Waste.
• BE PART OF THE SOLUTION BY CREATING SOLUTIONS!

Why is E-Waste the 2024 Sustainability Innovation Challenge?  

Why this challenge? Well, first what is e-waste? E-waste refers to discarded electrical and electronic devices that are no longer in use or have reached the end of their useful life. This category includes a wide range of products, such as computers, smartphones, televisions, household appliances, and various other electronic. The challenge e-waste keeps piling up in our homes and in our workplaces, becoming a relevant problem but also a possible opportunity to recover rare and valuable materials. Annually, every person generates around 7 kg of e-waste resulting, contributing to the generation of around 50 million metric tons of e-waste worldwide. Being aware that we are heading into a future that will be increasingly based on technological devices underlines the need to start thinking of new circular approaches for the management of e-waste.

There are many reasons behind it, from the lack of knowledge of the disposal rules, to the possibility that the equipment might be useful again in the future, to its sentimental value or the intention to resell it. In terms of e-waste collection, several issues arise as well, in the logistic chain, in the sorting facilities, or the way to collect them. Based on these initial considerations, the TU Dublin President’s Sustainability Challenge will develop ideas that can improve the re-using, recycling, or upcycling of the e-waste by focusing in one or more of these areas:

• A more efficient and environmentally friendly collection of e-waste.
• Improvement of logistics chains and removal of current obstacles in the sorting the materials.
• Creating tools to increase consumer awareness and openness on the issue.

At the President’s Sustainability Innovation Challenge, we plan to develop a wide range of ideas to address these problems.

Who is eligible to get involved?

• The invitation is open to ALL TU Dublin students – including full time and part time students and across ALL programmes including research degrees and apprenticeships.

• Faculty and staff are welcome to join as mentors.

Prize Fund:

• €2,000 Prize Fund kindly provided by www.workday.com

What is the format?

• On October 31 and November 1 2024, TU Dublin students will come together to work in teams to generate and develop ideas that address the sustainability challenges of e-waste.
• All you need to do is sign up to participate in the TU Dublin President’s Sustainability Innovation Challenge.
• You can bring your own team to the hackathon, or you can join a team.
• You will be given direction on how to form your team, brainstorm ideas, and pitch your ideas with confidence. Advisors and mentors will be available throughout to help you and your team.
• Towards the end of second day, our panel of judges will select from the best ideas proposed with the winning team or teams receiving a cash prize kindly supported by Workday. The total prize fund is €2,000.
• All participants will be issued with the STLR (Student Transformative Learning Record) credit award, providing participant with formal recognition for this learning experience.
• Food and beverages will be provided.

I don’t have a team

• You can easily sign up as an individual and join a team.

• On the first afternoon you will be invited to engage with other participants and facilitated to form teams.

I don't have an idea

• You don’t have to have ideas for the solution already but it is no problem if you do, and want to use the hackathon to build on your proposed solution. 

• We don’t expect teams to come up with solutions that will solve the entire challenge of e-waste.

• We hope to develop a diverse range of ideas. 

• The solutions may be simple and smart, or highly technological.  

• As with most sustainability challenges, the overall solution for reducing the impact of e-waste will be found in many small solutions and ideas – one of which might be yours!

   

Key Dates & Schedule:

• 21 October 2024: Application closing date.

• 31 October 2024: Day 1 of the Challenge – Everyone comes together to build their teams and create the start of a good idea.  Kick-off 2.00 pm. Finish 4.00pm.

• 01 November 2024: Day 2 of the Challenge – the Hackathon Day!  Solution ideation, selection and development before pitching to a judging panel. Kick-off 9.00 am. Finish 4.00pm.

How do I sign up?

• You can sign up as an individual or as a team to take part in the TU Dublin President’s Sustainability Innovation Challenge here.
• For further information check www.tudublin.ie/growthhub/hackathon or contact growthhub@tudublin.ie.
• Here you can find out about last year's challenge. Watch John talking about his experience with the hackathon.

Funded by: