Ingredients that may seem to have little economic value, such as sugarcane bagasse, sweet potatoes, and more, can be transformed into bioplastics.
The project “BIOPLASTIC – Producing Bioplastic Products from Sweet Potatoes, Sugarcane Bagasse, and Coffee Grounds” by a group of students from Tran Van Giau High School (Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) won first place in the “Students with Startup Ideas” competition at the city level in 2023. The project has also been selected to participate in the national competition.
Replacing Traditional Plastics
Master Le Van Nam, a teacher at Tran Van Giau High School and the project supervisor, stated that the project aims to develop bioplastics as a replacement for traditional plastics using waste materials. The research team selected sweet potatoes, sugarcane bagasse, and coffee grounds to create bioplastics that are hard, lightweight, durable, environmentally friendly, and safe for users.
Discussing the project, student Vu Thi Hong Minh, a member of the Net – Zero research group, mentioned that the products have been tested for chemical indicators such as metal exposure and plastic content. The project utilizes materials that have lost economic value or are of low value, which are often burned or disposed of, causing environmental pollution.
According to the project team, other bioplastics on the market are mainly flexible and used for plastic bags or food wraps. However, the bioplastic developed by the Net – Zero group excels in hardness, lightweight, and durability, making it suitable for a variety of other useful products. Moreover, this type of bioplastic can decompose in the environment without causing pollution or adverse effects.
The experimental team of the project “BIOPLASTIC – Producing Bioplastic Products from Sweet Potatoes, Sugarcane Bagasse, and Coffee Grounds” in the laboratory.
A representative from the project team shared that while traditional plastics take hundreds to thousands of years to decompose, existing bioplastics require only one year. The bioplastic from Net – Zero takes about 3 to 5 years to fully decompose, allowing the products to be used longer while still ensuring a relatively quick decomposition time.
Many Practical Values
Teacher Le Van Nam noted that the project aims to produce products such as chess sets, Chinese chess, handmade plant pots for desks, and scented candle molds made from bioplastics. These products are not only practical, useful, and aesthetically pleasing but are also seen as effective alternatives to traditional plastic products, which are notoriously difficult to decompose.
Presenting the project, the research team confidently stated that the products provide high economic value, can be widely applied, create a potential green product market, and generate additional job opportunities for the community.
Students playing chess with bioplastic products from the Net – Zero group.
Student Kieu Ngoc Han, a member of the group, mentioned that the project was developed at the Environmental Technology Laboratory – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, and Van Lang University (Ho Chi Minh City) with support from experts. The product is currently in the testing phase but has already been well received by many customers due to its numerous advantages and reasonable pricing.
The research team shared that their goal is not only to develop bioplastic products as alternatives to traditional plastics but also to contribute to fostering a “zero waste” lifestyle, aligning with environmental protection programs.
According to the judging panel of the “Students with Startup Ideas” competition in 2023, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, this project has significant environmental implications for Vietnam and the world, helping to enhance the value of agricultural products. Furthermore, the project positively impacts people’s awareness regarding environmental protection issues, promotes sustainable development, and creates a healthy living environment for future generations.
The student group from Tran Van Giau High School (Ho Chi Minh City) participating in the project includes: Vu Thi Hong Minh, Nguyen Thi Hoai Ni, Kieu Ngoc Han, Nguyen Hoang Linh Dan, and Ho Quoc Thuy An.
Spreading the Spirit of Student Entrepreneurship
The “Students with Startup Ideas” competition, organized annually by the Ministry of Education and Training, aims to create an experiential environment; nurture feasible ideas from students; cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit among them from their school years; and diversify funding sources for potential projects.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the competition was launched in October 2023, attracting 152 projects with many interesting creative ideas across various fields.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Huy Nhut – Vice-Rector of Hong Bang International University (Ho Chi Minh City) and Deputy Judge of the city-level competition – evaluated that the participating projects have profound ideas, demonstrating an ability to grasp the needs of life, hence possessing high practicality. This is a positive signal for the widespread entrepreneurial spirit among students throughout Ho Chi Minh City.
