GEW Pain in the Glass Competition Rules
The purpose of this competition is to provide a vehicle for students to design and develop an innovative
business concept that will serve our local community by addressing the ongoing issue of glass waste. The
business challenge will prompt students to collaboratively create a realistic model for reusing or
repurposing the glass currently in the Walla Walla County landfill, with a plan to address the future
collection of waste glass.
Team business plans will be submitted to a panel of judges for evaluation and from the three top teams
a winner will be announced and awarded a prize of $500 at a community-wide reception on November
19, 2013. The winning team from Walla Walla University, Whitman College or Walla Walla Community
College stands to win a matching gift from their school. A rubric is included with the proposal so
students know how their plans will be judged. The quality of the video will not be evaluated by the
judges, however the clarity and creativity of the presentation is important to the general presentation of
the business plan. The team with the highest points wins the competition.
Proposal Submissions:
Teams will submit written documents outlining their plan along with a video pitch for the judges to
evaluate. The video will be no longer than 5 minutes and the written document no longer than 5 pages
double spaced.
Due date for submission is Noon on Friday, November 15, 2013.
Submissions will be sent or delivered to Damien Sinnott at the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of
Commerce.
Student Requirements:
Teams will consist of two to six students,
Teams can be a mix of students from different programs
Teams may work with a faculty advisor
Teams should be made up of individuals with a variety of knowledge, skills and abilities
The plan must include the following areas:
1) Executive Summary
 The new venture’s purpose and mission
 Description of the business
 Goals to be achieved in the next five years
 Unique value propositions
 Ownership model
2) Business Model
 Description of service
 Description of how the business will generate revenue
 Customer segment(s)
 Channels of distribution
 Key partners
 Key resources (intellectual, buildings, etc.)
3) Marketing Plan
 Market feasibility or needs assessment
 Competitive environment
 Target population or market, size & growth potential
4) Operations Plan
 Description of program implementation
 Appropriate technologies
 Facilities & equipment needed
 Implementation timeline
5) Summarized Financial Information
 Budget/Financial Management
 Initial capital needs and sources
 Projected operating costs
 Monthly operating budget
 Projected cash flow
 Projected income statement & balance sheet
Current Glass Waste Situation:
This information was provided by the Walla Walla City sustainability team:
 In 2010 the City of Walla Walla collected about 528,000 lbs. of glass.
 The City incurred costs of roughly $25,000 per year to pick up glass and take it to the landfill and
would have to pay approximately $25 per ton (or roughly $6,600) to ship the glass to a recycler.
 The value of glass in the recycling market has been declining for several years. In 2010 the
revenue that the City could expect to earn from recycled glass was approximately $30 per ton
(or $7,920).
 The private sector estimate to pick up and ship glass to a recycler was $25,000 per year, with
estimated revenue for the glass coming in at $6,500.