The competition asked participants to design products made with materials that can return safely to industry or nature at the end of use. Entries came from 16 countries and addressed sectors such as home and furniture, electronic and entertainment, vehicles and structures and apparel.
A $2000 cash prize has been awarded to winners in three categories: Best Student Project, Best Professional Project, and Best Use of the Autodesk Fusion 360 Tool.
The Best Student Project was awarded to Tjitte de Wolff of the University of Twente, who created the Venlo Bag; a 100% biodegradable bag made from 99% recycled materials.
Jerri Hobdy, a furniture designer and Savannah College of Art and Design graduate, was awarded The Best Professional Design came from furniture designer Jerri Hobdy, whose PURE|IF|HIDE chair and stool collection uses solvent free, vegetable tanned leather and steel , allowing it to be separated into reclaimable biological and technical nutrients at the end of its life.
Meanwhile, Best Use of the Autodesk Fusion 360 Tool was awarded to Cole Smith, a student at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, for his design of the Finite Faucet (main picture), designed to help people to wash their hands correctly while reminding users of their impact on the environment.
"We congratulate our winners as next generation product designers who embrace systems thinking to solve human and environmental challenges," Bridgett Luther, president of the Institute, said. "We plan to further develop the program and foster a community who share best practices for making products that earn the Cradle to Cradle Certified mark for excellence in quality, beauty and sustainability."
The design challenge is expected to return in Autumn 2015.
