(TORONTO) May 14 2021 – Students at the University of Ottawa launched POLY – a social enterprise that manufactures small-scale plastic recycling systems to reduce plastic waste.
Thanks to this initiative, Enactus University of Ottawa has been named the 2021 Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge National Champion. The team was selected by Canada’s largest experiential learning platform, Enactus Canada, and program supporter Scotiabank.
“The innovation our students showcase through their environmental action projects is incredible,” said Nicole Almond, President of Enactus Canada. “These students have proven through their impact that we can strive for a better and cleaner tomorrow.”
Through POLY, the Enactus team at the University of Ottawa was able to divert over 40,000 water bottles worth of plastic whilst conserving 67,775 litres of water.
“We all have an important role to play in the transition to a low-carbon, more resilient and prosperous future,” said Sandra Odendahl, Vice President of Social Impact and Sustainability at Scotiabank. The efforts of the University of Ottawa demonstrate the importance of climate action, empowerment and positive change from Canada’s future leaders. Scotiabank is impressed by all of the submissions, and especially proud of everything POLY has accomplished. We know this is only the beginning of the incredible things they will continue to achieve in this important space.”
The Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge empowers post-secondary students to develop and deliver projects that teach viable solutions to relevant environmental issues. Since 2009, 480,022 tonnes of CO2 emissions were diverted from the atmosphere, 11,454 Enactus students have helped conserve 639,364,179 litres of water, divert 250,567 tonnes of waste, and introduce 10,797 organizations to green business practices.
Student teams demonstrated the impact of their climate action projects to panels of business executives as part of the Enactus Canada National Exposition.
The Enactus Canada National Exposition unites 1,500 delegates including the country’s brightest university and college students, academic professionals and top Canadian CEOs to enable progress by supporting entrepreneurial action through competition, recognition and education.
For competition updates, visit nationals.enactus.ca. All competition results will also be published on enactus.ca/events/national-exposition following the event.
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ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, a national charity and the country’s largest post-secondary experiential learning platform, is shaping entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 3,000 post-secondary students led 275 community empowerment projects and business ventures last year in communities coast to coast, directly impacting over 39,000 lives.
As a global network of 35 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.
Media Inquiries:
Gaston Calzato
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Enactus Canada
gaston@enactus.ca | 647.867.6357