New stars of circular economy unvieled at crQlr Awards 2023

The crQlr Awards 2023, emphasizing circular over linear systems, action over fame, and a global perspective, have unveiled the new and rising stars who are accelerating the circular economy on the global stage. Chosen from over 140 submissions, these winners ranged from large-scale projects to ideas and artworks still in the conceptual stage.

Submissions are evaluated on creativity, insights into the circular economy for people, their positive environmental impact beyond mere resource circulation for the planet, and whether they offer solutions to societal and corporate challenges in pursuit of a circular economy for profit. The judging panel, comprising individuals with diverse expertise, selects projects that promise to inspire globally and further support their activities.

In its third year, the crQlr Awards 2023 witnessed unprecedented participation, with 140 projects from 44 countries. The panel included professionals from various fields such as innovation, design, AI, art, mobility, architecture, community, technology, and biology, adding a broad spectrum of insights to the selection process. Winning projects are recognized with a unique award and feedback from the judges, along with a certification logo from the organizers.

The submission period ran from September 19 to November 13, 2023, attracting 140 entries from 44 countries. A total of 28 projects received Judges’ Awards, with an additional three receiving special recognition. Among the special awards, the “FabCafe Global Prize” highlighted three innovative projects.

“Guilty Flavours” created the first food sample from components converted from plastic waste. This project explores using new biochemical actions like digestive enzymes to create entirely edible molecules, potentially enabling safe plastic consumption by humans.

“Sea Vegetable circulation” by Sea Vegetable Company is reviving dwindling seaweed populations affected by sea rot through environmentally friendly cultivation methods on land and sea, while proposing new culinary uses for seaweed.

“Forest Circulation – Forestry Revitalization – REWOOD” after analyzing Taiwan’s forestry industry chain, aimed to utilize over 10 million tons of annually pruned, wind-fallen, or dead trees in Taiwan, which were otherwise inefficiently disposed of or directly incinerated.

A “crQlr Awards Exhibition” set for March 2024 at FabCafe Tokyo, will not only display the awarded projects but also facilitate engaging discussions and tours, further bringing circular design concepts to the forefront.