There are five days left to help decide which of ten innovative green ideas should receive $20,000 in funding. The Green Effect contest, sponsored by National Geographic and SunChips, will award $20,000 each to five deserving projects. One of the projects will be selected through online voting, while a panel of judges will choose the remaining four.

Several of the proposed projects are near and dear to the hearts of waste industry professionals. One would establish recycling collection for multifamily homes in the San Rafael, Calif. community of Canal using a fleet of large tricycles. Another seeks to eliminate waste by replacing all of the disposable cups, plates, and utensils used during class celebrations at an elementary school in Julian, Calif. with a “Green Classroom Party Kit,” washable white plates, clear cups, and silverware in a rolling storage container that can be deployed all over the school.

All of the finalist proposals seem worthy. Stop in and register your vote before it’s too late!