Envision Racing launch global competition to fight e-waste

Envision Racing are taking big steps to help educate and inspire the next generation regarding electronic waste, launching a new  global ‘Waste to Race’ competition. The campaign, which is being run through an active schools engagement programme across the United Kingdom, will allow those aged nine to 21 to compete to win a series of special prizes. 

With annual electronic waste production on track to reach a scary 75 million tonnes by 2030, the United Kingdom is one of the worst offenders. The country, home to the Envision team, generated the second most e-waste in 2022, with items like mobile phones, laptops and batteries being part of the problem. 

The team is no stranger to using their platform for good, running the Race Against Climate Change initiative to help reduce carbon emissions alongside their ABB FIA Formula E Championship campaign. 

This new project will see the team collaborate with British artist and designer Liam Hopkins to explain why we need to reuse and recycle electrical waste and how children and young people can get involved. Hopkins will be using his talents to build a full-size Formula E car from e-waste, which will be available to see on BBC’s Blue Peter in mid-July and appear at the London E-Prix. 

Three categories will be available for kids aged nine to 21, encouraging them to build their own replica mini-racing car, which is wholly made of e-waste. Prizes on offer include Formula E and Envision prizes, as well as a sustainably sourced laptop! 

“Electric mobility is a key part of reducing global carbon emissions, and the technology is moving fast,” Envision driver and Season 2 Formula E champion Sebastien Buemi said. 

“We can now race up to speeds of 320kph, up from 225 kph In Formula E’s first year in 2014/15, and batteries are more than proving their potential.
 
“But batteries are built from specific metals and minerals which – even if the battery itself is worn out – can be reused. We urgently need to create a system that captures and extract these and other materials from old electrical products to use them as part of the electric revolution.”

“We use electrical products without thinking and they are often replaced rather than repaired or reused,” artist Hopkins added. “Worse of all, they end up as waste. We want to make everyone aware of the link between e-waste and our renewable future, and what better way than to show that through creativity and design.
 
“I’m working on a full size, drivable Formula E Gen3 replica car with my ideas, but I know others will have brilliant concepts of their own. Let’s build together and win the e-waste race.”