UCR students’ recycling company reaches finals in startup competition, need your votes

A recycling solutions company, founded by University of California Riverside students, is one of eight finalists in the Blackstone LaunchPad Pitch Competition– a global competition for startups that offers prizes to three finalists totaling more than $50,000.

Until 8:59 this evening, Saru Recycling has the added chance of winning the People’s Choice Award and an extra $5,000 in prize money. The public can vote for their favorite finalist at the LaunchPad website. The grand-prize winners will be announced on the 25th at the Startup Grind Global Conference online.

Founders at Saru want to build autonomous, solar-powered waste management units that sort items as they are disposed, monitor the unit’s fullness, and track recyclables’ data in connection with Saru’s free mobile application. Through the app, users could earn rewards, view transactions, find available units in their area and track their carbon footprint.

The Saru system is being tested in front of Goodwin’s Organic Foods & Drinks, located on West Big Springs Road in Riverside.