Recycling entrepreneur from Tanzania is this year's winner of the Children's Climate Prize!
17-year-old Edgar Edmund Tarimo from Arusha in Tanzania is the winner of the Children's Climate Prize 2017. After seeing how waste and plastic waste contributed to environmental problems in his area, Edgar decided to solve the problem on his own. With his company Green Venture Recycles, he transforms plastic waste into smart, affordable and sustainable construction products such as roof tiles and building blocks.
So far, Edgar's company has recycled more than 1.2 million plastic bags, a total of 20,000 kilos of plastic, which would otherwise have been in nature. He has also employed over 100 people and trained more than 4000 students in environmental campaigns at schools around Arusha, Tanzania. Edgar has created a machine that converts waste plastic to coating blocks, tiles, bricks and other useful products. Since plastic melting creates toxic gases like dioxin and furan, he has also designed a filter to capture these substances and managed to achieve a sustainable productionprocess.
"Edgar's innovations are brilliant and good example on how to combine climate responsibility while at the same time contributing to a positive development, for his own part as for society at large," says Johan Kuylenstierna, chairman of the Children's Climate Prize jury.
This year's winner, Edgar Edmund, will come to Sweden and receives his medal, diploma and prize sum of 50,000 sek on November 22 during the gala dinner and award ceremony in a climate smart theme with 250 specially invited guests at Tom Tits Experiment in Södertälje. It will be an evening out of the ordinary with first class entertainment from some of Swedens finest artist such as Eric Saade and Mariette. There will also be a music performances from last year's Children's Climate Prize winner, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez. In addition, dinner is composed by the renowned chef, Paul Svensson as we celebrate this year's young climate heroes. The evening's emcee this year is, Farzad Farzaneh, kids' TV star, director, writer and TV show host. All of the 2017 Children's Climate Prize finalists will attend the galadinner and ceremony in Södertäje, Sweden on the 22 November.
Telge Energi initiated the Children's Climate Prize, an international climate prize awarded to a youth, 10-17 year old, who has done something extraordinary for the climate and environment. The prize was established in 2016 to raise children's and young people's perspective on the climate issue, recognizing that it is the children's future at stake. Finalists and the winner are appointed by a jury and the winner receives 50,000 in prize money.
For interview inquiries and accreditation for the award ceremony contact:
Press Contact
Jonna Holmgren
+46 (0) 70 888 05 02
jonna@massivpr.se
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