Mike Biddle wins World Technology Network Environment Award

MBA founder Mike Biddle has won the 2014 World Technology Network (WTN) Environment Award for his pioneering work in separating plastic polymers and preventing plastic pollution. Mike was presented with the award in New York City in November, beating tough competition including Apple’s Sustainability VP and the Swiss inventor of the first solar-powered aeroplane.

“It’s a great honour to receive this award and I’m delighted that my commitment to transforming plastic waste into useful materials has been recognised by fellow scientists and inventors,” says Mike. “Throughout the journey from my early experiments to creating a global plastics recycling company, I’ve remained dedicated to developing advanced ways to separate plastic polymers and this award is a testament to that contribution.”

WTN members comprise some of the world’s most innovative individuals and organisations – from technology experts and scientists to marketers, government officials and writers – who collectively explore the potential of emerging technologies. Its annual awards are presented to outstanding innovators in each sector.

Other winners on the night included SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who won the ‘Energy’ and ‘Space’ categories, UN Messenger of Peace Jane Goodall, who won the ‘Policy’ category, and former Star Trek actor and Reading Rainbow founder LeVar Burton, who won ‘Education’.

Keen to encourage other entrepreneurs to forge ahead with developing clean technologies that stand to make a real difference, Mike also recently spoke at the finals of this year’s CleanTech Open (CTO) competition. Billed as ‘The Academy Awards for CleanTech’, the CTO awards honour the achievements of those start-ups making the most significant and promising contributions to the development of clean technology. Mike joined well known clean tech entrepreneurs and investors to inspire and congratulate this year’s finalists.