University of Twente Team Wins First Place at WED for Sustainable Plastic Waste Solution

University of Twente Team Wins First Place at WED for Sustainable Plastic Waste Solution

(IN BRIEF) The University of Twente team won first place at World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (WED) for their innovative “ManufacturingBox” project. This solution addresses plastic waste and inadequate housing by creating a self-sustaining microfactory that turns plastic waste into durable building bricks using solar energy. Second place went to the “ECO BEADa” project from Batangas State University, and third place to “Smart Irrigation Monitoring System” from the University of Hertfordshire/PSB Academy. ManufacturingBox promotes sustainability by providing building materials for homes and sanitation facilities, creating jobs, and contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

(PRESS RELEASE) ENSCHEDE, 7-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The team from the University of Twente, Netherlands, has secured first place at the World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (WED) with their innovative project “ManufacturingBox.” This project addresses two critical issues faced by informal settlements: plastic waste and substandard housing. ManufacturingBox introduces a self-sustaining microfactory that transforms plastic waste into durable, affordable building bricks using solar energy, providing a sustainable solution to both environmental and housing challenges.

The second place in the competition was awarded to the “ECO BEADa” project by Team ECO BEADa from Batangas State University in the Philippines, while third place went to “Smart Irrigation Monitoring System (SIMS)” by Team Torpedo from the University of Hertfordshire/PSB Academy in Singapore.

The ManufacturingBox project not only tackles the pressing environmental problem of plastic waste but also provides a pathway for improving living conditions in underserved areas by producing building materials for homes and sanitation facilities. This initiative supports job creation, strengthens local waste management systems, and contributes to several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty alleviation, gender equality, and building sustainable communities.

World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, an official UNESCO International Day proclaimed in 2019, celebrates the crucial role engineering plays in addressing global challenges. The theme for WED 2025, “Shaping Our Sustainable Future Through Engineering,” emphasizes how engineering is instrumental in achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, from providing clean water and energy to building resilient infrastructure and combating poverty.

Media Contact:

drs. J.G.M. van den Elshout (Janneke)
Press relations (available Mon-Fri)
+31 53 489 6007
j.g.m.vandenelshout@utwente.nl

SOURCE: University of Twente