A plant wall that generates enough energy to charge a mobile phone and a retail range of plant kits for children were judged the Best Ideas at last month’s Plantarium exhibition in Holland.

Students from Wellantcollege in Delft received the prize of €1000 for their Power Plant, which demonstrated how plants can generate electricity. The jury said: “Power Plant is a great innovation and will certainly be used by companies as an eye-catcher in the hall or reception area. It provides power for charging a smartphone and has a positive effect on the company's desired sustainability and innovation image. It shows in a light-hearted and innovative way that the company is investing in CSR/sustainability.” 

The Amazing World range of playfully-packaged plants from aquatic, swamp desert habitats was entered by Van der Velde Waterplanten bv from Bleiswijk, winning the business category, with a €1000 PR package as the prize. The judges said: “It is an appealing total concept which is well thought out and geared towards a specific target group: children. It fits well into the gift segment and is definitely intended for pleasure shopping. The fact that the plants in Swampworld also catch mosquitoes is a nice bonus.”

There were 14 entries for the Best Idea, three of them from students.