The Green Room

Discovering the next big green idea

By Walmart Green Room on March 1, 2012 Leave a comment

The winning sustainability-idea team: Arthur Yip, Jake Yeung and Alan Thai

University students have an incredible opportunity to learn, experiment, dream big and think in different ways. They also have the drive to change the world, which is why Walmart Canada turned to them for the next big green idea.

Yesterday, five semi-finalist student teams battled head-to-head, bringing their best sustainability ideas before a panel of Canada’s top CEOs. Their ideas had to be original, easy to execute and have economic, social and environmental impact.

So what’s the next big green idea that will change the way Canada does business? A fresh-food distribution center powered by 100 percent renewable energy.

The hub would integrate solar rooftop panels, be connected to the smart electricity grid and produce net economic benefits estimated at $1.35 million per year over 20 years.

Three chemical engineering majors from the University of Waterloo came up with the idea and went home with a $30,000 cash award and $30,000 for their school.

Other ideas included an electronic receipt app and a customizable, reusable shopping bag that consolidates consumers’ loyalty cards.

The Walmart Green Student Challenge was created to empower the next generation of business leaders because soon, it will be their turn to lead and teach.