Meet the Solver Teams: Introducing the Circular Economy Solver Class

On February 28, 2019, we launched our Circular Economy Challenge, which asked innovators all over the world, how can people create and consume goods that are renewable, repairable, reusable, and recyclable? The 302 solutions we received demonstrated a passion for fundamental change in the way we produce and consume products. These solutions came from all corners of the world and targeted every aspect of the circular economy: including new materials, new business models, and new recycling approaches. 

After closely reviewing these applications, Solve and the Circular Economy Challenge Leaders selected 15 finalists to pitch their solutions in front of the Solve community. On September 22, we heard those pitches live at Solve Challenge Finals in New York City, and our expert judges selected eight of the most promising solutions to join the Solve community. We’re thrilled to announce our new Circular Economy Solver class:

AIR-INK

AIR-INK captures and sequesters carbon found in air pollution to produce industrial-grade inks and pigments for high-grade printing materials. 

Algramo

Algramo is scaling reusable packaging on a global level by providing packaging that communicates with their IoT-connected vending machines to dispense fast-moving consumer goods into reusable packaging. 

BioCellection

BioCellection breaks down low-grade, unrecyclable polyethylene (PE) plastics into chemical intermediates—and then uses these intermediates to make performance materials for cars and construction that are more sustainable than traditional industrial materials. 

Mylea

Mylea is a substitute for traditional animal leather made from fungal mycelium that’s grown in fibrous agricultural waste like sawdust or sugarcane, replacing animal- and petroleum-based leather with a high quality alternative without harming any animals.

Queen of Raw 

Queen of Raw is a marketplace for businesses to buy and sell unused textiles, keeping them out of landfills and turning pollution into profit. 

The Renewal Workshop

The Renewal Workshop operates a zero-waste circular system for apparel and textile brands that recovers the full value of products already created, all while serving customers, partners, and planet.

Rheaply

Rheaply provides software for commercial clients that integrates resource sharing, asset management, and sustainability metrics on a user-friendly platform, thereby unlocking assets that are hidden in storage, underutilized, or bound for landfills. 

Xilinat

Xilinat uses a patented process to transform agricultural waste into a high-quality sugar substitute that looks and tastes identical to sugar, yet is ideal for diabetics, low in calories, and protects teeth against cavities.

Feeling inspired? Find out how you can support these innovators, and learn more about joining Solve as a Member.

Photo: Joe Jenkins / MIT Solve