Western University student Mark Desjardine, a PhD student in the Richard Ivey School of Business, has been named among five semi-finalists for the Wal-Mart Canada Green Student Challenge.
Walmart Canada invited post-secondary students to submit ideas for more sustainable business practices that also deliver to the bottom line.
“Besides the fact that sustainability is right up my alley, I believe in the power of a single good idea,” said the Peterborough native. “A single good idea can change business and our future; I believe I have the next great sustainability idea.”
Five semi-finalist submissions were chosen for their creativity, ease of implementation and potential impact. The semi-finalists present their ideas at the TMX Broadcast Centre to a panel of Canada’s top CEOs on Feb. 29. Top prize is $30,000 to the winning student/students and an additional $30,000 to their university.
If he wins, Desjardine already has plans for the money.
“Because I’m a true believer in both sustainability and my idea, I plan to spend a significant portion of this money strictly to fund my business proposal,” he said. “Once the benefits are realized, I expect businesses will be quick to accept my proposal, however, the money will play a critical role in these initial stages.”
Register to watch the live finale at the event’s website.