Applications call for OpenIDEO Beyond the Bag Challenge 2020

The Challenge aims to identify innovative new design solutions that serve the function of today’s single-use plastic retail bag, delivering ease and convenience for consumers while striving to lessen the impact on the environment. The Challenge is a part of the Beyond the Bag Initiative, a global initiative launched by Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy with Founding Partners CVS Health, Target, and Walmart. Kroger joins as Grocery Sector Lead Partner and Walgreens as a Supporting Partner, alongside Conservation International and Ocean Conservancy as Environmental Advisory Partners. OpenIDEO is the Consortium’s Innovation Partner.

The Challenge

The OpenIDEO Beyond the Bag Challenge aims to identify innovative new design solutions that serve the function of today’s single-use plastic retail bag, delivering ease and convenience for consumers while striving to lessen the impact on the environment. Successful solutions will strive to be compatible in diverse retail environments, deliver the ease and convenience of the single-use plastic bag, and reduce or eliminate the environmental impact. Solutions will address the packaging that transports products from point of sale to the final customer destination. The Challenge is not seeking solutions to address inter-region shipping or long-distance delivery.

Prizes

• Winning Solutions are eligible to receive a portion of $1 million in funding.
• Selected Ideas are eligible to participate in the Beyond the Bag Accelerator and access potential piloting opportunities.

Challenge Awards

Winning Solutions are eligible to receive a portion of $1 million in funding. OpenIDEO Beyond the Bag Challenge 2020 support Innovators across multiple stages of development:

• Emerging Innovator Award: Early-stage concepts: Up to $50k USD
• Mid-stage Innovator Award: Growth stage concepts: Up to $100k USD
• Advanced Solutions Award: Established companies with innovative solutions will be considered for financial and in-kind support for testing and piloting

Eligibility

• Individuals, teams of individuals, and legal entities from all countries and territories are welcome and encourage to participate.
• Solutions may include Reusable Models, Bagless Solutions, Innovative Materials.
• Solutions must transport goods from retailers to final destinations while replacing the single-use plastic retail bag with an improved solution.
• Also, solutions may explore point of sale checkout, in-store pickup, local delivery from the retailer, or other key moments along the “retailer to destination” journey.

Full information here