I teach the Marketing class at Bainbridge Graduate Institute in the Fall along with my teaching partner, Dr. April Atwood from the University of Washington.  Many of my students end up eventually launching the businesses that they conceive of in my class.

My students from last Fall just graduated and I was recently on a judging panel for their final business plans.  My fellow judges, pictured from left to right (I'm the first on the left), were Dr. Howard Frederick, who teaches Entrepreneurship in New Zealand, Jim Poss, creator of the Big Belly solar powered waste receptacles (and the instructor for BGI's Entrepreneurship class), and Tedd Ladd, owner of Ladd Energy Inc. in Wyoming.

The answer to the question of which is worse, the banana or the plastic bag? Interestingly, the banana is actually a worse item in a landfill because it emits significantly more methane gas than the plastic bag. The landfill does not allow the banana to break down properly.

The winning team from the competition was Philly Compost, which will get paid to divert fruit from the waste stream into industrial sized compost in Philadelphia (thus the bananas and odorless compost inside the coffee bags on the table in front of us). PC will then sell this high quality compost to nurseries and homeowners for a premium. It's a great business model which solves a significant environmental problem.

Side note: the other item on the table in front of us are called "Ugly Dolls." They have microphones stuffed inside them; one of many BGI traditions which are slightly unusual but serve a purpose. I think the Ugly Doll microphones prevent anyone from getting too serious while trying to solve the problems we face in our currently un-sustainable world. It's hard to go on a rant while holding an Ugly Doll.

It's a good physical reminder that not lost on me, as my personal mission statement is to "help others while having fun."