2nd Team in ASEAN-China-India Youth Leadership Summit 2023

I'm thrilled to announce that we've secured 2nd place in the OSG Youth Alliance's inaugural ASEAN-China-India Youth Leadership Summit 2023's Sustainability Startathon: Singapore Finals, ranking among the top 3 teams. This achievement comes with the privilege of representing Singapore in the upcoming Grand Finals, where we'll collaborate with 165 talented youths from 11 different countries. This year's Summit focuses on "Sustainability - Urban Living," aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 12.

We are deeply honoured by the opportunity to address a pressing business problem that aligns with our global responsibility. Our problem statement, "How might we encourage local businesses to adopt sustainable practices?" is closely aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 12. According to a 2018 position paper by the Singapore Environment Council, Singaporeans take an average of 2 to 4 plastic bags per supermarket trip, resulting in a staggering 840 million plastic bags used per year. This quantity is sufficient to cover 126 Gardens By The Bays. Additionally, the study revealed that Singaporeans discard 1 to 3 PP single-use plastic bottles per week, contributing to the generation of 473 million plastic bottles annually, equivalent to the mass of three Sentosa Islands. Furthermore, it is concerning that 1 in 5 Singaporeans believes that Styrofoam containers, commonly used for food takeaways, can be recycled.

This represents a significant and ongoing problem with substantial environmental consequences. Consequently, our team has developed a pioneering solution: sustainable and biodegradable packaging for food containers and shopping bags. We achieve this by repurposing discarded materials such as corn leaves or pineapple leaves, processing and laminating them into practical and eco-friendly products. Our packaging can be tailored to meet the specific needs of businesses and accommodate various types of food items.

By addressing the widespread issue of single-use plastic waste through innovative and sustainable packaging, our initiative not only supports local businesses in adopting environmentally responsible practices but also contributes to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 12, aimed at responsible consumption and production.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to the organizing committee of OSG Youth Alliance and their esteemed partners, the National Youth Council Singapore and Elitez Group of Companies. Their unwavering support has not only provided us with invaluable resources through masterclasses but has also empowered us to transform our ideas into practical and sustainable business solutions. From refining our concept to crafting a compelling pitch, their guidance has been instrumental in our journey.

I'd also like to express my sincere appreciation to my dedicated Team EcoWe members: Wei Hao Goo, Tan Zheng Wen, Pin Key Lee, and Ravi Surya. What makes our journey remarkable is the fact that we were initially assigned to this team randomly, with each of us signing up individually for the Startathon. It was only during the Singapore Finals at Temasek Polytechnic that we had the chance to meet in person. We experienced a great team dynamic, demonstrating the immense value of diversity within a team. It underscores that diversity can be a powerful catalyst for creativity and innovation when we bring together unique perspectives and ideas that ultimately lead to outstanding results.

Furthermore, we had the privilege of networking with brilliant individuals from other teams, such as Flint, a Singaporean youth-led startup co-founded by Carlo Charles. Their team is developing a paper-based rechargeable battery with versatile applications in the wearable tech industry and renewable energy storage, among others. This interaction not only broadened our horizons but also highlighted the remarkable innovations emerging from our peers in the competition.

It's truly inspiring to witness how diverse talents and ideas come together to address sustainability challenges in creative and impactful ways. As we prepare for the upcoming Singapore Grand Finals, it's worth noting that we will be representing Singapore in different teams, learning to collaborate with like-minded ASEAN youths in the region. Our goal is to address a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal and create a viable business product applicable in the ASEAN, China, and India regions.

We extend our best wishes to all the 180 Startathon Finalists and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to meet you all very soon!