STARTCUP CHALLENGE

BECAUSE IT ALL STARTS AROUND A CUP OF COFFEE

A CHALLENGE ON CIRCULAR INNOVATION

As per Ellen Macarthur’s foundation definition, the circular economy is based on three principles, all driven by design:
ELIMINATE WASTE AND POLLUTION

ELIMINATE WASTE AND POLLUTION
REGENERATE NATURE

REGENERATE NATURE
CIRCULATE PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS  (AT THEIR HIGHEST VALUE)

CIRCULATE PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS  (AT THEIR HIGHEST VALUE)

Most agree that the current linear model is no longer fit for purpose, failing both people and the planet. A circular economy, by contrast, decouples economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. It is a resilient system that is good for business, people and the environment. 

THE REASON BEHIND THE CHALLENGE 

From the belief that coffee can be a force for good, Nespresso is launching the Australian Startcup challenge to propel the move towards sustainability and inclusion in business. 

THE PROBLEM WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE
Our current economy is reaching its limits with regards to social and environmental impact. We need a radical transformation: moving away from the linear economy towards the circular economy.

THE KEY PLAYERS WHO WILL HELP US SOLVE THIS PROBLEM
Start-ups and SMEs

THE WAY WE PROPOSE TO HELP ADDRESS THIS CHALLENGE
By bringing to life the StartCup Challenge and shining light on circular solutions in Australia.

THE WIDER BENEFITS OF STARTCUP

  • Raising awareness of circular initiatives
  • Introducing long term circular innovations to the Australian public
  • Nourishing and furthering the B Corp™ movement

StartCup Challenge, note with love heart

ELIGIBILITY

START-UP
Established in Australia with an ABN and in existence for less than two years

OR

SME
Established in Australia with an ABN, in existence for over two years and with less than 250 employees

Your business must align with one of the following six circular business models.

CIRCULARITY CAN BE DIFFERENT THINGS 

WASTE VALUE MODEL

WASTE VALUE MODEL

 A model where waste is revalorised and used in new by-products to extract the maximum value from it. 

For example: Recycling and waste management companies that transform food waste into biogas or compost and, PET or aluminium into new products.
REVERSE LOOP MODEL

REVERSE LOOP MODEL

 A model that aims to maximise the value and duration of the entire life cycle of products, by enabling second usage or multiple usage of those products.

For example: second-hand retailers who give a second life to fashion, furniture, appliances, or other items.
CIRCULAR INPUT MODEL

CIRCULAR INPUT MODEL

 A model that aims to minimise the depletion of our natural resources, by maximising the use of recycled material in the final product.

For example: Products made from recycled plastic or PET bottles.
INTEGRATED CIRCULAR MODEL

INTEGRATED CIRCULAR MODEL

 A model that leverages life cycle analysis (LCA) to minimise any negative effect on natural resources across all stages of the product life cycle, not just limited to production, but also including sourcing, usage, and final disposal. Hence product designers focus on reparability, upgradability, reusability, ease of disassembly and recyclability of all components of a product.

For example: Products that are easy to repair, replace or recycle.
END-OF-LIFE RESPONSIBLE MODEL

END-OF-LIFE RESPONSIBLE MODEL

 A model in which companies take direct responsibility over the entire life cycle of their products. After use, people return products to the producer who has a direct economic interest in the extraction of all their recoverable value.

For example: Fashion subscription companies, brands that allow you to rent or borrow products for a limited time, or companies that offer collection of their used products.
CIRCULAR SERVICES

CIRCULAR SERVICES

 A model in which companies offer a service to enable and promote a circular economy. Software producers and service providers also have a crucial role to play in a circular economy. For example, Internet of Things (IoT) applications are useful for product- and resource-tracking systems that are necessary for a circular economy to function.

For example: Platforms for selling and buying second-hand products or platforms that ensure traceability.
llen MacArthur Foundation Circular economy systems diagram

Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation Circular economy systems diagram (February 2019) www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org

HERE’S HOW NESPRESSO
IS UNDERTAKING CIRCULARITY IN ITS SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
OVER THE LAST DECADE

OVER THE LAST DECADE

 Nespresso has developed a system for collecting and recycling its aluminium capsules in Australia. Today, there are four different ways to return your used capsules at one of 19,000 collections points across the country, and Nespresso continues to innovate to make recycling as easy as possible, including through its kerbside collection pilot and Recycling Rewards program.
In 2020

In 2020

 Nespresso launched the first coffee capsules on the market made using 80% recycled aluminium, as part of the company’s continued journey towards circularity, going further to minimise waste and maximise reuse of product materials. The move closely followed the introduction of new machine boxes being made of fully recyclable packaging composed of 95% recycled material.
In 2022

In 2022

 Nespresso and social impact start-up Opensc have revealed a technology-based collaboration that brings new levels of transparency to the Nespresso REVIVING ORIGINS organic coffee, Kahawa Ya Congo. Through the partnership with Nespresso, Opensc’s technology is being used to trace every bag of coffee digitally and securely from the 1185 smallholder farms of the Amka cooperative in South Kivu, all the way to the consumer. The Opensc platform automatically verifies that each farmer directly receives the correct Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program premium for exactly the amount of coffee they produced.

OUR CHALLENGE WINNERS

Uuvipak, a tech meets science innovation, claims to be on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic pollution with 100% home-compostable packaging, currently in the form of cups and containers. The winning submission by co-founders Dr Shafali Gupta and Andy Epifani revealed the pair has created a new patent pending edible material made from clean, upcycled organic food waste sourced from food and drink manufacturers across Australia. The entry states that the material is strong, hot water resistant for over 12 hours, and 100% biodegradable without leaving any toxic or harmful by-products in the process, creating a closed circular loop.

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