Potato spoons, pipe bots and mini wind turbines on Dyson awards list

Many of the 20 contenders for this year’s prestigious global prize focus on ways to create a more sustainable future.

Potato Plastic is a biodegradable material made of potato starch that can be used for cutlery and straws and will decompose just two months after use. Photograph: James Dyson Foundation

Cutlery made from potato peelings and a robotic cleaner that can tackle pollution in rivers, lakes and canals are among the groundbreaking international designs shortlisted for the prestigious annual James Dyson award.

Over half the world’s population currently live in cities, according to the United Nations – a proportion expected to rise to seven in 10 people by 2050 – and the projects share a common theme of aiming to redefine urban living through technology to create a more sustainable future.

The 20 shortlisted designs have been whittled down from 81 national winners and finalists, with the overall winner of the international prize to be announced in November. The international winner will receive £30,000, with £5,000 for their university and £5,000 for each of the runners-up.

Read the full article about the James Dyson sustainability award at The Guardian online

Rebecca Smithers Consumer affairs correspondent The Guardian

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Taxonomy

• Sustainability
• Sustainability
• Circular Economy
• Plastic Pollution