Staples introduces eco challenge

Framingham, Mass. Staples said Tuesday it has launched what it calls the Staples Global EcoEasy Challenge, a competition among leading global technology educational institutions to create an innovative environmentally preferable office product.

In conjunction with Rochester Institute of Technology’s Golisano Institute for Sustainability, Staples said it created the global competition to task the world’s leading engineering students with developing concepts for an environmentally preferable business or home-office product.

As part of the challenge, individuals or teams of up to five students from each participating school will submit an idea for a new design of an existing product that represents greater environmental responsibility or sustainability; a product that uses an eco-innovative material; or a completely new product that promotes sustainability.

A panel of judges will select the top finalists to receive a trip to New York City the week of Earth Day to present their concept during the finals on April 20. One grand-prize winning team will receive $25,000 and first- and second-place teams will receive $5,000 each.