HALIFAX (March 4, 2013) – Enactus student teams from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Acadia University have been named 2013 Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge Regional Champions by national charitable organization Enactus Canada and proud program supporter Scotiabank.
The Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge empowers post-secondary students to develop and deliver projects that teach viable solutions to relevant environmental issues. Since 2010, 1,857 students have helped conserve 3,866,643 litres of water, diverted 1,928,733 pounds of waste and introduced 354 businesses to green business practices.
“We are proud to support this important educational initiative as part of our flagship environmental program, Scotiabank EcoLiving,” said Kaz Flinn, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility for Scotiabank. “Canadians are increasingly interested in reducing their impact on the environment and this challenge speaks to students’ eagerness to develop new and innovative ways to help them do just that. I would like to congratulate this year’s competitors for their efforts and their imaginative projects.”
The following Enactus student teams from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Acadia University stood out to the judges at the Enactus Canada Regional Exposition – Atlantic Canada on Friday, March 1st because of their dedication to tackling local environmental issues:
Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Bottlepreneur project empowers individuals who collect recyclables for a living by teaching them entrepreneurial skills. In just over a year, this project has expanded from one to six participants, each of whom improved their time management skills, greatly increased revenues and gained confidence in themselves and their businesses. The Bottlepreneur Expansion Manual allows the project model to be used in other regions.
Acadia University’s Back to the Tap project provides accessibility to free, clean water while addressing the environmental issues surrounding the production of disposable water bottles. When soda pop was introduced into schools, disposable water bottles were in and water fountains were out. The Enactus Acadia student team is reversing this trend having designed and built four water fountain prototypes. They currently have four production orders.
“These teams are making a real impact on the long term sustainability of their communities through their environmental education projects,” says Nicole Almond, Enactus Canada president. “They are a perfect example of how our Enactus teams are building a greener Canada.”
These teams will now move on to the national level of competition taking place May 6-8th at the 2013 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Toronto, Ontario.
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ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada is a community of student, academic and business leaders enabling progress through entrepreneurial action. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,300 student leaders create and implement over 350 community empowerment projects and business ventures every year in communities coast to coast. As a global network of 39 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: Jody Lundrigan Director of Communications Enactus Canada E: jody@enactus.ca P: 416.304.1566 x 222 M: 416.346.0131