WINNERS
In this challenge, students explored how Cisco technologies could advance the circular economy. Participating teams pitched their proposals to judges on March 23rd, 2018. Each proposal outlined a circular economy technology solution that Cisco could implement for a customer. The winning proposals are summarized below.
1st Place: Team Circular Logic
Danny Erickson (MBA), Jimmy Haight (MBA), Aditi Dhadwaiwale (MS Mechanical Engineering), Ian Curtiss (MBA)
Currently, furniture is the least recycled household item, with 9.9 million tons of furniture wasted each year. Team Circular Logic proposed that Cisco partner with IKEA to improve the furniture recycling process as part of a consumer leasing model enabled by Internet of Things (IoT) technology. A leasing/return function on an IKEA mobile app would allow customers to track their current leases and determine the value of returning their furniture to IKEA. Also, by adding Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips in the furniture, customers would be able to track their furniture more easily. This would
improve IKEA’s inbound logistics efficiency and set the stage for future “smart furniture” enabled services using advanced microchips in both household and enterprise furniture. Cisco technology would connect all of the chips and devices while enabling data analysis. Ultimately, the team estimated that IKEA would save manual labor costs in its inbound logistics facilities, reduce raw material costs, and increase customer lifetime value through expanded relationships with customers. The project would also offset 3.3 tonnes of carbon and save 85 trees per 1 ton of recycled furniture.
2nd Place: Team Rethinking Progress
Allison Richer (MBA), Mukunth Natarajan (PhD Sustainability), Kayla Kutter (Master of Sustainable Solutions; Master of Science and Technology Policy), Paul Strong (MBA), Maxx Patterson (PhD Sustainability Energy)
The EPA estimates that 75% of the American waste stream is recyclable, but we only recycle about 30% of it. Meanwhile, the City of Phoenix spends $1 million a year to remove contaminants from its recycling stream. Team Rethinking Progress proposed the Cisco Smart Bin Network, a network of smart waste bins that use sensors to separate recyclables and non-recyclables at the source, reducing the need for manual sorting at recycling facilities. The bins also provide real-time feedback to educate users about proper disposal of materials.
Each bin’s sensors communicate on a Cisco network to collect and transmit data about what is going into the bins and, as the infrastructure advances, where it is coming from. The data will provide valuable insights to cities, universities, and vendors about the journey of waste in their communities, helping to facilitate zero waste goals, raise awareness about waste, and increase accountability for unsustainable packaging choices.
3rd Place: Team Cisco
Aroon Kumar (MS Business Analytics), Tapan Shah (MS Business Analytics), Wei-Chih Hu (MS Business Analytics)
Over 50,000 mattresses are thrown away every day in the U.S. Most of these mattresses could be recycled. Team Cisco proposed to tackle this challenge by partnering with mattress manufacturers to embed sensors in their mattresses. Using sensors and Cisco technologies, these mattresses could provide valuable health data to users, such as sleeping cycles, heartbeats, and other indicators. This would increase brand loyalty, help people sleep better, and drive revenue through a subscription for health information. The sensors would also support
the reverse logistics process to help mattress manufacturers recycle and capture value from mattress materials.