(TORONTO) 18 May 2020 – Students from the University of Ottawa have enabled local, community-led plastic recycling by creating a small, affordable manufacturing system that shreds and transforms plastic waste into new and innovative products.
Their efforts were recognized on May 15 through the 2020 Virtual Enactus Canada National Exposition Opening Ceremony, where University of Ottawa won the award for the Sobeys Carrying the Future Project Accelerator Best Project for Poly.
Through project Poly, the Enactus UOttawa team has diverted 1.75 metric tonnes of avoidable plastic from landfills this past year alone.
“At Sobeys, we are committed to finding ways to be more sustainable and reduce avoidable plastic in our stores – the winning team of the 2020 Carrying the Future Project Accelerator Best Project from the University of Ottawa will help us do just that,” said El Browne, Director Corporate Sustainability, Sobeys Inc. “We are proud to partner with Enactus Canada, working with students across the country to find smart, sustainable solutions to continue making meaningful progress toward a greener tomorrow within the grocery retail industry.”
New this year, the Sobeys Carrying the Future Project Accelerator is designed to empower Enactus teams with the resources needed to identify, create and deliver projects that showcase changes that both grocery retailers and Canadian consumers can make to reduce avoidable plastic use. As part of this new accelerator, six Enactus teams received grants for $2,500 from the grocery to help progress their business plans, as well as valuable mentoring from Sobeys Inc. senior leaders.
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 enactus.ca. All event results will also be published on enactus.ca/events/national-exposition.
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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 3,400 post-secondary students led 267 community empowerment projects and business ventures last year in communities coast to coast, directly impacting over 50,000 lives.
As a global network of 37 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.
ABOUT SOBEYS: Proudly Canadian, with headquarters in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Sobeys has been serving the food shopping needs of Canadians since 1907. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A), Sobeys owns or franchises more than 1,500 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy and Lawton’s Drug Stores as well as more than 350 retail fuel locations. Sobeys, its franchisees and affiliates employ approximately 123,000 people. More information on Sobeys Inc. can be found at www.sobeyscorporate.com.
Media Inquiries:
Jennifer Falzon
Vice President, Programs & Marketing
Enactus Canada
jen@enactus.ca | 416.304.1566 x222 | 416.315.2099
Violet MacLeod
Specialist, Public Affairs
Sobeys Inc.
violetmacleod@sobeys.com | 782.440.2208