Page 174 - Towards A Sustainable Future , Phase 3 2025, E-Book_Neat

For this sustainability project, we focused on reusing burnt charcoal by infusing it into soap bases
to help clean stains off pots and pans. Initially, my team and I brainstormed various ideas to help
make the environment more sustainable, one of which was harnessing the heat from the charcoal
to generate energy. However, our boss quickly rejected this idea because he was concerned it
might affect the taste of the food cooked in the restaurant. Although we were disappointed, we
understood the importance of considering all aspects of sustainability, including the impact on the
business.

This rejection pushed us to think of alternative solutions, and after some trial and error, we
Foo Kai Shen
Higher Nitec in arrived at the idea of using charcoal's natural cleaning properties to tackle stains. Infusing used
Mechanical Engineering charcoal into soap seemed like a practical and eco-friendly solution that aligned with the project
ITE College East goals. Although the process of coming up with a new idea took longer than we expected and was
frustrating at times, it taught me a lot about adaptability and perseverance. Sometimes, the path to
sustainability requires creative thinking and patience, especially when facing setbacks. In the end,
the experience was rewarding, as we were able to contribute to both environmental sustainability
and the business in a meaningful way.

The idea to repurpose burnt charcoal into a product that is potentially commercially viable is a very
interesting concept to me. I have never had the eye for sustainability until recent times where it has
become the buzzword. It is interesting to see how we can cultivate a sustainability mindset with things
that are waste at first sight. However, this has taught me to see things with a broader perspective. As
the saying goes “one man’s trash is another man’s gold”. I also see the importance of sustainability to
the country’s green efforts as Singapore is a very small country with scarce resources.

Ong Kun Bo
Higher Nitec
in Mechanical
Engineering
ITE College East

172