Gayle DeBruyn solves wicked problems with the Wege Prize

From the recyclables you put out on the curb each week to the roll cart that carries them, closed-loop manufacturing is redefining the way plastic products are created, and extending their lives far beyond a single-use.

Fashion is a choice, one which these designers and retailers have made with an eye for sustainability. From choosing raw materials, to designing the garments, to sourcing them from overseas, the journey from fabric to fashion can be complicated, but these businesses are proving that it doesn't have to rely on human suffering and pollution.

The journey that medical products take from ideation to launch has been extended over the years by federal standards and regulations, but the basic outline remains the same: help people by making their lives easier, and call in whoever you need to make that happen.