A Magazine for Alumni and Friends
Laurier’s Waterloo Enactus team was named runner-up at the Enactus World Cup, a prestigious global competition that sees student teams showcase the collective social, environmental and economic impact of their entrepreneurial efforts.
Laurier finished behind the team representing Egypt following a competition featuring teams from 33 countries. In total, more than 72,000 post-secondary students from around the world participated in regional and national Enactus competitions ahead of the global competition, which took place in October.
Laurier’s Waterloo Enactus team was named Enactus national champion for the second consecutive year in May, earning the right to represent Canada at the global competition. Last year, Laurier’s team was also named runner-up at the global competition behind the team representing Egypt.
“I’m hugely proud of the students again this year,” says Laura Allan, assistant professor in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics and faculty advisor for Laurier’s Waterloo Enactus team.
Laurier’s Waterloo Enactus team was named Enactus national champion in May, earning the right to represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup.
Laura Allan, faculty advisor for Laurier’s Waterloo Enactus team
“I’ve never been so inspired by so much passion and perseverance. These students will continue to inspire lives of leadership and purpose for many years to come.”
Laurier’s Waterloo Enactus team includes representatives from the Laurier Enactus ventures EarthSuds, Mighty Hawks, Last20 and Smile Tabs.
EarthSuds, which produces single-use shampoo, conditioner and body wash tablets to eliminate the need for plastic toiletry bottles, had been ramping up sales and production in advance of the global competition. EarthSuds has signed a deal with a New York-based manufacturer, which recently began producing their single-use tablets. Once they’re made, the soaps are sent out through fulfillment centres in both New York and Cambridge, Ont.
Mighty Hawks provides free life skills and employment training for individuals with developmental disabilities. Through its “work-readiness” program, participants gain valuable on-the-job work experience.
Last20, which seeks innovative and sustainable ways to upcycle plastic waste, has developed a way to replace some of the bitumen used as a binding agent in pavement with waste plastic bags. They started their first pilot, paving a loading dock in Brantford, at the end of September.
Smile Tabs reimagines how toothpaste is packaged, with the aim of eliminating the need for the millions of plastic toothpaste tubes that end up in landfills each year. Students designed single-use toothpaste capsules, encased in a water-soluble and biodegradable film.