This year Enactus uOttawa, a student-led organization led by President Fabiha Adiba has continued to create change through projects, risks, and social entrepreneurship. In May, the team took their projects to Toronto, Ontario to compete for awards and prizes against 30 post-secondary institutions. The team shared the long-standing histories of two projects exiting Enactus, Poly, and Nibi while introducing two brand new projects, a snack-food company Nupacko and received a substantial award for their e-cigarette recycling venture, Innovape.

Poly addressed the growing concern of plastic pollution by manufacturing, selling, and operating small-scale plastic recycling systems, turning plastic waste into new products, whereas Nibi worked on improving access to clean and safe drinking water, stepping out of the Enactus uOttawa team to become an independent social enterprise. Although the team had to part ways with these projects, they were ready to present two projects which they believed to be their new success stories.

Presented alongside them was Project F.L.Y., a long-standing Enactus uOttawa initiative focused on empowering youth through engaging workshops and opportunities for personal and professional growth. The project, which hosts events such as Perfect Pitch, was awarded the Collaboration Award for its partnership with the University of Saskatchewan in empowering youth.

The first new project introduced was Nupacko, which focuses on combating food insecurity by developing nutrient-dense biscuits created to address six major nutrient deficiencies in Canada. The product was designed to be an accessible solution to support growth and development, particularly for those facing food insecurity in low-income areas. Enactus' other project, Innovape, stood out by capturing one of the most prestigious awards on the national stage.

Introducing Innovape

Enactus uOttawa also celebrated a major victory as National Champions in the Canadian Tire Corporation Sustainability Challenge with their project, Innovape. Innovape is an initiative that tackles the increasing problem of vape product waste, seeking to utilize lithium-ion batteries from this waste to power new products.

During the research stage, the innovation team at Enactus uOttawa identified that the improper disposal of single-use vapes, powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, presents a significant environmental threat, as they are designed to be discarded after just a few uses. These e-cigarettes combine the worst aspects of single-use plastics and hazardous electronic waste. According to the Government of Canada, more than 2 million Canadians over the age of 15 have vaped, and approximately 5 disposable vapes are thrown away every second. Disposable vapes are rarely correctly recycled due to a lack of consumer knowledge and standard recycling processes. Most ultimately end up in landfills or oceans, where their plastic, toxic metals, and chemicals cause long-term harm.

As vape waste continues to grow rapidly, the Innovape team saw an opportunity to address this issue by developing a plan to repurpose the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries from discarded vapes. To raise awareness and provide accessible disposal options, the team plans to set up custom-made collection bins with information that educates consumers about the environmental impact of their habits. The organization has set up a partnership with the University of Ottawa and local vape stores to place pilot bins on campus and in-store. Innovape aims to continue spreading awareness and extend its recycling efforts by hosting pop-up collection drives, where students and community members can responsibly dispose of vape products. Their goal is to drive a shift in consumer behaviour while establishing a stronger presence on campus.

Innovape is working to develop a battery management system that will sort and test the quality and safety of the lithium-ion batteries they recycle. Additionally, Innovape is exploring scalable recycling methods and researching niche applications for repurposed products to address small-to-medium scale power storage needs in its local community and abroad. The team also plans on tackling other forms of e-waste and driving innovation with new solutions.

Looking ahead, Innovape's innovative approach to tackling the environmental threat posed by vape waste will offer new opportunities for the community to address ongoing climate challenges while also creating a potentially desirable product for consumers. With its scalable solutions, Innovape is positioned to grow alongside other Enactus uOttawa projects, delivering tangible environmental and social impact.