As Bhutan grapples with the growing challenge of wet waste management, a group of innovative students from Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School (YHSS) have turned the tide by transforming biodegradable waste into a sustainable business venture that benefits both the environment and the local community.
In 2022, six enterprising members of the YHSS UPSHIFT club launched an initiative to collect organic waste generated on their campus. Utilizing a bio-mulching machine, they convert food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, known as bio-mulch, which is then used to enhance flower pots and kitchen gardens around the school. This eco-friendly solution not only reduces waste but also promotes greener spaces within the community.
The students’ project has now blossomed into a promising business. On October 28 and 29, the team made their debut sales at the Druk Tshongrig Gatoen (DTG), successfully selling over 70 packets of bio-mulch at Nu 50 per kilogram. The bio-mulch is produced efficiently, with the machine processing 5 kilograms of waste in just 40 minutes and decomposing within one to two weeks, depending on moisture levels. “The mulch is then used for fertilizing plants and enhancing the greening process in our school,” explained Pema Ugyen Namdrol Jamtsho, a senior student leading the project.
Pema emphasized the importance of addressing local issues with homegrown solutions. “In the first two years, we concentrated on tackling the rising issue of food waste in our school,” he stated. The project’s success at DTG marked a significant milestone, showcasing the team’s ability to engage with the broader community, network with potential partners, and explore future collaborations.
Supported by UNICEF and Innovate Bhutan, the initiative has benefited from eight to ten mentorship sessions, which have been pivotal in transforming the student-led project into a viable enterprise. “The practical mentorship programme has helped us build partnerships with other organisations and scale our business,” Pema added. He also highlighted the need for sustained support, advocating for government assistance to maintain the UPSHIFT programme’s momentum and provide seed funding for student-led ventures. “Student-led ideas do not have funding assistance for executing the idea,” he noted.
Tashi Dorji, Senior Social Enterprise Officer at Innovate Bhutan’s Youth Development Fund (YDF), lauded the students’ efforts. “UNICEF Bhutan, in collaboration with the government and civil society organizations, is empowering Bhutanese youth to innovate and create,” Dorji said. He highlighted the UPSHIFT programme’s role in fostering a culture of innovation and creativity among schools and youth centers across Bhutan.
The commitment to nurturing young innovators was further demonstrated in March during the National Innovation Challenge in Thimphu, which featured 14 groundbreaking projects ranging from automated greenhouses and smart zebra crossings to electric sound fencing and stress monitoring systems. Innovate Bhutan is now mentoring these projects through a stage-specific boot camp designed to refine their concepts, provide incubation support, and enhance essential skills and networking opportunities.
Looking ahead, the programme plans to select five teams for a winter boot camp next month, with the top two ideas set to receive Nu 100,000 each for further development. This initiative not only provides financial support but also encourages young entrepreneurs to pursue their innovative ideas, ensuring that projects like YHSS’s bio-mulch venture continue to thrive and inspire others.
As YHSS students demonstrate the power of youth-led solutions in addressing environmental challenges, their success serves as a beacon of hope and a model for other schools and communities striving for sustainability and innovation.
