Here are the finalists in the inaugural South African CLiP STOMP Awards

The finalists (in no particular order) are:

Technology or Technical Design

• Wildtrust – Pyrolysis Machine from Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal
• The Mermaid Tear Catcher submitted by Clare Swithenbank-Bowman from the KwaZulu-Natal, North Coast
• Games Tangibl submitted by Jean Greyling from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

Product Development

• The Big Scoop SA submitted by Alexis Wellman from the Helderberg, Western Cape
• Beeswax Wrap submitted by Mica Da Silva from Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal
• Patch Bamboo Plasters submitted by Dr Milliea Anis from Johannesburg, Gauteng
• The Mutea EcoPod submitted by Liam Bulgen from Cape Town, Western Cape

Adult Inspire through Creativity

• 12 Plastic Monsters submitted by Luke Rudman from the Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
• The Well Worn Theatre Company submitted by Kyla Davis from Johannesburg, Gauteng
• The SuperScientists Project by CodeMakers NPO, submitted by Justin Yarrow from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Youth Inspire through Creativity

• The Future Kids submitted by Rocco Da Silva from the Somerset West, Western Cape
• Norman Klutsky Eco-Warrior of the High Seas - Eden College submitted by Jean Van Elden, Durban KwaZulu-Natal
• The Oceano Reddentes NPC submitted by Jade Bothma from Western Cape

Special Recognition Award for Action

• Captain Fanplastic submitted by Nwabisa Joba from the Cape Town, Western Cape
• The Ethekwini Conservancies Forum submitted by Paolo Candoti from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
• Singakwenza submitted by Julie Hay from Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal

Some of the finalists (as well as some of the entries that did not make it into the finals but impressed the judges) will be in attendance to present their entries at the CLIP Innovation Conference: STEM the tide of plastic waste in Africa in Cape Town on 4 and 5 December 2019. Winners in each category will be announced at the conference on 5 December.

The conference, which will be attended by scientists, environmentalists, conservationists, and policymakers, is co-hosted with the Sustainable Seas Trust and will be looking at STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) solutions to the marine litter problem in South Africa.

Showcasing innovative ideas

"We were pleased with the number and quality of entries submitted for these inaugural awards," says STOMP project manager Duncan Pritchard, of Green Corridors, the NPO tasked with managing the awards in South Africa. "The entries were fairly diverse with some truly innovative ideas being showcased. It certainly demonstrates that South African's are thinking about the plastic challenges we face, and are looking at what could be the next world-changing innovation to solve the crisis. That is extremely positive for us going forward."

Commenting on the judging process, Fiona Preston-Whyte, CLiP country lead from the UK's Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) which leads the CLIP programme says, "As scientists, we were looking for innovative, sustainable solutions which contribute to reducing or preferably eliminating plastic as a waste. The entries are high quality and creative and speak of the innovative spirit of South Africans.”

To view the finalists, click here.