QUEST Program One of 10 Competing for $25K Eco-Grant,
Publicity & Prizes in mtvU GE ecomagination Challenge

The innovative idea of a solar-powered trash compacting receptacle for a class project has launched a team of students in the Robert H. Smith School of Business's Quality Enhancement Systems and Teams (QUEST) Program into the national spotlight. They have been selected by mtvU, MTV’s 24-hour college network, and GE, as one of the top 10 student projects in the first-ever mtvU GE ecomagination Challenge. Over 100 student groups nationwide submitted for the competition, with ambitious proposals addressing everything from energy conservation to urban runoff and waste production to wildlife preservation. The 10 finalists’ projects stood out as the most innovative and pragmatic plans for improving campus sustainability.

QUEST Team SOS students plan to design a solar powered recycling/trash compaction receptacle addressing the problem of waste build up and the lack of recycling receptacles on the University of Maryland campus. "By incorporating a renewable, environmentally friendly energy source the project goes beyond impacting the environment at face value," say team members. "Not only is the idea innovative and eco-friendly, but it benefits the students, faculty, and visitors at the University of Maryland as well as the people who actually collect the trash."

Dr. Gerald Suarez, director of the QUEST program, says the team of sophomores has already won, in his mind. "They're combining existing technologies in a simple holistic approach that makes waste management more efficient; proving that you don't need to be an expert in green technologies to make a contribution and help address complex environmental issues."

The finalists' multi-media proposals are available online at www.ecocollegechallenge.com.

Students who voted during the voting period, along with input from mtvU, GE and top environmental experts, will determine the winning team, which will receive a $25,000 grant for the execution of its idea and be featured on mtvU and mtvU.com. The winner’s school will also receive an mtvU Earth Day Concert headlined by college favorites Angels & Airwaves. The winning team will be announced March 15th.

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