Winners of the 2025 Don't Waste Award

The award ceremony took place on Thursday 27 November in Rome, at the Luiss Guido Carli University Campus. Don't Waste Award 2025, now in its sixteenth edition and promoted by the site www.nonsprecare.it, founded and directed by Antonio GaldoEvery year, the initiative celebrates experiences, projects, and initiatives that transform problems or waste into concrete resources and opportunities for society, the environment, and the sustainable economy.

The 2025 edition was dedicated to the oceans, the true pillars of life on the planet: the sea covers over 71% of the Earth's surface, produces oxygen, regulates the climate, and supports approximately 3 billion people. But the health of the oceans is threatened by plastic, waste, and the climate crisis. According to a study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, by 2050 there could be more plastic in our seas than there are fish. As explained Antonio Galdo, creator of the Award: «The sea is the paradigm of the challenge we are facing to protect the planet and safeguard vital resources. It holds great opportunities, but also enormous risks if we continue to neglect it. Every action counts: from waste management to daily behavior. The future of a sustainable world depends on our will and the choices we all make.».

Here are winners of the six categories in competition, with a brief description of their projects and the concrete impact they have generated.

Category “Character”

The award was given to Emma Mazzenga, born in 1933, the world's fastest woman in the Masters category, with dozens of international records. Her story is an extraordinary example of active longevity: she continues to compete and live with energy, passion, and openness toward others, demonstrating that determination and personal commitment can overcome any barrier.

Schools and Universities Category

An innovative project carried forward from the University of Catania for the recovery and reuse of ash from Mount Etna (Sicily). An initiative Born just a few kilometers from the sea, it transforms volcanic ash from Mount Etna, normally considered a problem, into a useful and sustainable building material. This approach demonstrates how research and education can generate concrete and sustainable solutions for the region.

Institutions Category

The CNR, in collaboration with the University of Rome Tor Vergata and the Genoa-based company BeDimensional, has developed solar panels capable of operating under water, an innovation that opens up new prospects for renewable energy production, enhancing Italian technology and offering potential global applications.

Startup Category

Ogyre is a platform that, with the help of fishermen, recovers plastic lost in the sea and transforms it into new materials. The project combines environmental protection and local economic development, demonstrating how innovation can solve real problems and protect communities.

Company Category

CAMPO has patented and produces Canù, the first organic, gluten-free, GMO-free, and completely biodegradable pasta straw. Made from corn flour, it is a sustainable and renewable product; if dispersed in the sea, it becomes a natural food source for wildlife. A shining example of how agricultural tradition and innovation can come together to offer concrete solutions to combat pollution, contributing to a more responsible production model.

Associations Category

The association The Gold of Capri It works to restore and enhance Capri's ancient olive groves, protecting the island's landscape and cultural identity. Its work combats overtourism and demonstrates how environmental protection can strengthen local communities.

The 2025 Don't Waste Award: All the Winners