In collaboration with its Sustainability Prize Program at EARTH University, and Professor Irene Alvarado Van der Laat, who runs the program, The Sustainability Laboratory recently sponsored a prize for sustainability excellence at the Seedstars Regional Summit in Costa Rica. Dr. Michael Ben-Eli, Founder of The Lab, sat on the jury, and awarded the prize to the Costa Rican company Balanced Energy.
Presenting the prize (from left): Roberto Bolaños, Balanced Energy; Dr. Michael Ben-Eli, The Lab; Germán Jiménez, Balanced Energy; and Dr. Irene Alvarado Van der Laat, EARTH University
Balanced Energy is run by a group of engineers currently transforming waste plastics into alternative fuels, in order to reduce plastic waste and fossil fuel consumption, and to create job opportunities for people recovering plastic waste. B-Energy has debuted a fuel called Polydiésel, equivalent to diesel gas, which has already been tested in cars to great results.
At the summit (from left): Michael Gucovsky, Lab Board Member; Dr. Irene Alvarado Van der Laat, EARTH Professor and Lab Advisory Board Member; Marcial Chaverri, Procomer Costa Rica; and Dr. Michael Ben-Eli
Seedstars is an international effort to connect with the digital changemakers of the emerging world. As an incubator of educators and investors, they facilitate innovation in emerging markets through competitions, conferences, education and more.