YK Poudel

As the issue of wet waste continues to escalate, a group of enterprising students from Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School (YHSS) seized the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment.

In 2022, these students launched a project to collect bio-degradable waste generated on campus and transform it into bio-mulch for local greening efforts. This innovative product turns food waste into nutrient-rich compost for flower pots and kitchen gardens.

The project has now turned into a budding business, with the team making their inaugural sale of bio-mulch at the Druk Tshongrig Gatoen (DTG) on October 28 and 29.

The six-member team from the YHSS UPSHIFT club showcased their initiative, engaged in networking, and explored partnership opportunities.

UPSHIFT team of YHSS sold over 70 packets of mulch, priced at Nu 50 per kilogram, during their first sale at DTG

Pema Ugyen Namdrol Jamtsho, a class XII student and the member of the project handling team, emphasised that their initiative focuses on addressing local problems with homegrown solutions. “In the first two years, we concentrated on tackling the rising issue of food waste in our school.”

The collected kitchen waste is processed using a bio-mulching machine, which takes about 40 minutes to grind 5 kg of waste. It decomposes within one to two weeks, depending on the moisture content. “The mulch is then used for fertilizing plants and enhancing the greening process in our school,” Pema said.

The team successfully sold over 70 packets of mulch, priced at Nu 50 per kilogram, during their first sale at DTG.

With support from UNICEF and Innovate Bhutan, the sustainability initiative has evolved into a viable business, bolstered by eight to ten mentorship sessions. “The practical mentorship programme has helped us build partnerships with other organisations and scale our business,” Pema said.

Looking ahead, it is crucial that the consistency of the UPSHIFT programme is maintained, he said. “The project has to be further strengthened with government assistance.”

Moreover, he said that the government should support student led businesses with seed fund. “Student led ideas do not have funding assistance for executing the idea.”

Tashi Dorji, senior social enterprise officer at the Innovate Bhutan, Youth Development Fund (YDF) Bhutan, said that UNICEF Bhutan in collaboration with the government and Civil Society Organizations in Bhutan is empowering Bhutanese youth to innovate and create.

The UPSHIFT programme, supported by UNICEF, has built the culture of innovation and creativity among schools and youth centres in Bhutan. “With thousands of youths becoming more creative, local and national innovation challenges are held to scout and reward innovative ideas,” he said.

In March, a National Innovation Challenge held in Thimphu showcased 14 innovative projects from across Bhutan. Ideas ranged from an automated greenhouse and food recycling system to a smart zebra crossing, electric sound fencing, stress monitoring, and protection of nangten vandalism protection system among others.

Currently, Innovate Bhutan is mentoring and incubating these 14 ideas through a stage-specific boot camp designed to refine concepts, provide incubation support, and facilitate essential skills and networking opportunities.

Next month, five teams from the 14 will be selected for a winter boot camp, where two top ideas will receive Nu 100,000 each for further development.