"Re-use it or Lose it!"

How would you like to win $5,000 just for having a green, I mean great, idea? Well now is your chance because Planet Smoothie has decided to award one lucky person $5K and free smoothies for a year to come up with the most sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to recycling or eliminating polystyrene ("re-use it or lose it") from the waste stream. It could be an alternative cup material that easily breaks down or a method of re-using polystyrene cups (insulation for arctic gear, perhaps?).

Even though Polystyrene is an excellent recycled material, it is not the easiest and most energy-efficient to recycle when you're done with it. Planet Smoothie currently uses polystyrene for its containers or offers a re-usable container, Mac Daddy Mug, to keep their products cold. However, Planet Smoothie does not like the environmental effects of polystyrene, so they've launched this contest in search of a solution.

All solutions are due by September 30, 2008.

To be considered, submissions must include the following:

1.) Name, affiliation (if applicable), mailing address, email, age (you must be at least 18), contact information

2.) 250-word description of your proposed solution and why you think it's a solution to polystyrene (without disclosing future patent secrets)

3.) A photo of you with your solution.

You can view all the contest guidelines and apply online at Planet Smoothie's official contestant Web site.