# Crowdsourcing Environmental Good EcoApprentice Matches Problem Projects With Problem-Solvers By Katie Cordrey | Published 2011-03-19 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecoapprentice References: [greenlivingpdx](http://greenlivingpdx.com/articles/EcoApprentice.html) & [ecoapprentice](http://www.ecoapprentice.com/) Public high school counselor Richard Halpern has created an interactive website, EcoApprentice, that brings college students and businesses together to meet the shared goal of improving the environment. Businesses and not-for-profits that want to participate post “ecochallenges,” to which students from participating schools post “ecosolutions.” Some colleges offer credits for ecosolutions projects, and students have a shot at [real-world learning experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/campus-connect) and great potential employment contacts. When EcoApprentice website-posted ecochallenges are met, businesses reap rewards in the form of increased productivity, lower business cost and [less negative impact on the environment](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/green-wedge). The ability to quickly link businesses to like-minded ecochallenges problem-solvers makes quick, cost-effective problem-solving more likely than it would be without the EcoApprentice website resource. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 44% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Education](https://www.trendhunter.com/education) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Crowdsourcing Environmental Solutions:** EcoApprentice connects college students and businesses to collaborate on ecochallenges, allowing for innovative and cost-effective problem-solving. - **Real-world Learning Experiences:** Participating colleges offer credits for ecosolutions projects, providing students with valuable hands-on experiences and potential employment opportunities. - **Sustainable Business Practices:** EcoApprentice enables businesses to implement eco-friendly solutions that increase productivity, lower costs, and minimize negative environmental impact. ### Where This Applies - **Education:** EcoApprentice creates opportunities for colleges and universities to promote real-world learning experiences and foster environmental problem-solving. - **Environmental Conservation:** EcoApprentice facilitates collaboration between businesses and not-for-profits to address ecochallenges and promote sustainable practices. - **Technology:** The EcoApprentice website serves as a valuable resource for connecting businesses and problem-solvers, showcasing the potential for innovative technological advancements in the environmental sector. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Environmental Action Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clean-something-for-nothing.md) - [Business-Focused Environmental Responsibility Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wildsight.md) - [Urban Greening Infrastructure](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/greenpublic.md) - [Student-Specific Real-World Freelance Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/podium-education.md) - [Real-World Business Ideas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/people-problems.md) - [Gamified Sustainability Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-carbon-games.md) - [Exclusive Brand Ambassador Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brand-ambassador-program.md) - [Environmental Internship Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/environmental-internship-program.md) - [In-Game Tree-Planting Initatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/match-masters.md)