30-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Edible plastic idea earns teen inventors top prize in social innovation challenge
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Four teenage girls have won an inter-school competition that encourages students to create innovative projects that address environmental and societal challenges by creating an edible 'plastic' made from biodegradable materials to reduce single-use waste.
Comprising four Form Three students from Good Hope School, the winning team was awarded the top prize in the junior secondary category of the Seek Our Ways Social Ideation Programme for their creation of an edible and biodegradable composite as an alternative to traditional plastic.
Supported by Hang Seng Bank and organised by the Leadership Institute of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG), the programme encourages young people to develop innovative ideas that promote environmental and sustainable development, sports for all and elderly and wellness.
The inaugural edition of the programme was met with an enthusiastic response, attracting nearly 1,000 applications from secondary and tertiary students. After a rigorous selection process, over 400 students were chosen to form teams.
Diana Cesar, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank said the Bank is proud to put their network, expertise and resources behind young social innovators.
Over six months, the participating teams dedicated over 10,000 hours to experiential learning and mentorship guided by social leaders and professionals. Their efforts culminated in nearly 90 socially innovative proposals meant to advance the public Cesar, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, said, 'As Hong Kong's largest local bank, Hang Seng Bank is proud to put our network, expertise, and resources behind young social innovators. Programmes like this demonstrate how we turn belief in the next generation into action – equipping students to tackle real-world challenges while expanding their own potential.'
The junior secondary champions, including 15-year-olds Ho Lok-ting, Law Hau-wing, Lo Sin-sum and Tsang Lok-yu, were inspired to act after learning about the high mortality risk sea turtles face due to plastic ingestion.
