what happens if the following advancement in resolving plastic waste really did not originated from experienced experts however from college student teeming with imagination and decision?
From class to conference rooms, a team of young, enthusiastic minds started a transformative trip to take on among one of the most important ecological obstacles of our time– plastic waste.
Star Media Group Bhd’s (SMG) Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators program gave the system for these striving changemakers to transform their cutting-edge concepts right into concrete service options that attend to real-world obstacles connected to plastic waste.
Breaking from practice, the program welcomed an electronic method for pupil discussions, with individuals showcasing their cutting-edge options in SMG’s online eco-friendly display workshop,Studio Maya This sophisticated approach structured the procedure and highlighted the program’s dedication to leveraging modern technology for impactful interaction.
As an enroller, Coca-Cola Malaysia promised its assistance to the program in locating options to intricate plastic waste obstacles.
The program finished recently with an interesting inter-university ending at Menara Star, Petaling Jaya, on Nov 29, which included 10 groups of college student from Sunway University, Taylor’s University, UCSI University, Asia Pacific University of Technology & & Innovation and UNITAR International University.
Team M.eco from Sunway University became champs with their cutting-edge service called MecoBin, while Team FS ² and Team PlastX from UCSI University completed in the initial and second-runner up areas with their options PEGnology and Mobile Truck for 3D-Printed Recycled Goods
Team M.eco providing their cutting-edge service to the panel of courts throughout the inter-university ending.
Closing the reusing space
The Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators program confirmed that impactful options for sustainability can originate from the fresh concepts of college student.
Team M.eco– making up Harith Ikmal Zainudin, Jeanette Tan En Jie, Ch’Ng Sue Wei, Penny Chua Si Yun and Tan Kai Ling– started their trip with a common vision to encourage B40 neighborhoods with a remedy for simple recycling.
Through conceptualizing sessions and numerous conferences, they established MecoBin, a digital recycling container incorporated with a point-based incentive system to incentivise reusing behaviors while relieving monetary concerns on impoverished families.
“Our recycling bin for the B40 community aims to promote sustainability and accessibility. By integrating reward systems and running awareness campaigns, we hope to create a lasting impact and make recycling a sustainable habit in local communities,” claimed the group.
The college student’ trip really did not quit at ideation, as they functioned relentlessly to fine-tune the logistics of their job.
“Once the plastic bottles are deposited into the MecoBin, they are sent for recycling and reprocessed into recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) bottles. This circular process not only reduces production costs but also promotes sustainable resource management by reusing materials,” claimed Team M.eco.
An going along with application improves the system by enabling people to make factors for every single container reused. These factors can be retrieved for everyday needs, producing concrete advantages for B40 families.
“Our solution contributes to the social responsibility of businesses by offering a platform that directly supports B40 communities while fostering environmental sustainability. It also allows B40 individuals to earn essential household items at no additional expense,” they claimed.
Reflecting on their trip to ending up being victors of the program, Team M.eco stressed the relevance of partnership in bringing their service to life.
“Teamwork is definitely the most important factor, along with proper communication techniques. Although we all come from different backgrounds, M.eco brought us together to share the same goal of contributing to local communities while advocating for sustainability.”
Team FS ² placing on a dynamic discussion for the courts utilizing SMG’s eco-friendly display workshop, Studio Maya.
Redefining reusing with naturally degradable advancement
Team FS ² brought a clinical lens to the competitors, recommending a creative choice to traditional plastic container tags.
Comprising Forensic Science and Food Science with Nutrition trainees, Lee Kit Yee, Lynna Lum Lum, Chai Jia Yan, Anjeanette Tiffney, Kew Jun Yi and Yee Jo Ann, the group’s service– PEGnology– makes it possible for a whole plastic container to be reused effortlessly, removing obstacles brought on by non-recyclable plastic tags.
By transforming non-recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (FAMILY PET) right into polyethylene glycol (PEG), PEGnology changes standard flax tags with PEG-based tags, enabling the manufacturing of 100% recyclable plastic containers.
“We wanted to contribute to Coca-Cola’s sustainability efforts by designing a recyclable label to complement the bottle’s recyclability,” the group discussed.
They included that they were likewise able to take advantage of understanding and abilities gotten throughout their research studies.
“Since we are a group of students from an Applied Sciences background, our solution focused on applying what we learnt in our Microbiology, Organic Chemistry and Polymer Chemistry classes.
“It is amazing that we can finally apply what we have learnt to real-world applications.
“By replacing traditional labels with our PEG-based labels, we address both environmental and economic challenges, offering businesses a transformative approach to reduce plastic waste by utilising PEG-based labels as a sustainable replacement for traditional non-recyclable flax labels.”
The group likewise reviewed the obstacles they dealt with throughout the growth procedure, such as fine-tuning the chemical structure of the tags to make certain scalability.
“This experience taught us the value of discipline and teamwork, and how sustainability in business is not just about minimising waste – it’s about innovating processes and materials to create value in a way that benefits both businesses and the planet,” claimed Team FS ².
Team PlastX participants Chin Wen Yen, Rhenu Chandran, Gan Mu You and Oh Khang Chiang.
Repurposing plastic waste with mobile modern technology
With a vision to integrate sustainability and modern technology, Team PlastX presented the principle of a mobile 3D printing vehicle.
This cutting-edge lorry accumulates animal plastic containers and refines them right into animal filaments which can be changed right into 3D-printed items, showing a hands-on method to plastic waste administration.
Team PlastX participants, Chin Wen Yen, Zainab Alkabbani, Gan Mu You, Rhenu Chandran and Oh Khang Chiang, shared that their service not just motivates recycling and recycling plastic containers however likewise boosts area understanding and participation with their restless vehicle.
“Our mobile 3D-printing truck promotes a circular economy by closing the loop and reducing dependency on virgin plastic materials in manufacturing and production processes.
“By collecting and processing plastic waste locally, the truck lifts the burden off the community waste management systems and can reduce plastic litter in public spaces,” claimed the group.
Looking in advance, the group has strategies to bring their principle to life by developing an animal filamentor model and screening its performance.
“If we are successful, this would be a good way to repurpose plastic waste and create opportunities for students to engage with 3D printing technology and its applications,” they claimed.
With imagination and decision, these college student are showing that cutting-edge and lasting options for the future can originate from anybody, no matter age or experience.
To register passion and remain educated regarding future possibilities with the Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators program, click here.
