Solar, timber and home upgrade ideas win University of Newcastle sustainability prizes

Newy 87.8 FM – Three teams tackling solar panel waste, timber offcuts and home improvements have won the top prizes in the University of Newcastle's 2026 Circular Economy Grand Challenge.

The winning teams received $10,000 each to help advance their ideas through prototype development, partnership building and early-stage testing.

The Grand Challenge is delivered through the University's Integrated Innovation Network (I2N). It encourages people from different backgrounds to combine their skills and experience to solve practical sustainability challenges.

Keep Fix Upgrade is a digital planning tool that helps homeowners decide what to keep, fix or upgrade first, providing practical recommendations and indicative costs.

2nd-Sun Exchange is developing a digital matchmaking platform connecting solar panel owners and installers with people who can reuse, repair or recover retired panels.

Project Recut is a digital marketplace linking builders with local makers, helping redirect usable timber away from landfill and into new projects.

Three additional awards recognised standout projects selected by the judges and public votes.

More than 2,000 votes were cast in this year's People's Choice competition, with Phage Hunters UoN emerging as the public's favourite. The project investigates how naturally occurring viruses found in wastewater can be used to target harmful bacteria.

Pura Beeda transforms unwanted surfboards into products such as bee watering stations and garden beds. The project has attracted interest from local surfing organisations, including Newcastle Surfest.

The Clothes Line aims to reduce textile waste through clothing swaps, repair workshops and local recycling pathways.

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