From Waste to Growth: Sustainability in Action at ICS

A School-Wide Effort Takes Root

A classroom activity in a freshman high school science class led a group of students to submit an application for the SG Eco Fund from the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. The fund was used by ICS to install a Ridan aerobic composter, with installation completed on November 1, enabling us to manage food waste directly on campus.

Since then:

• 22 students and 5 teachers have been trained to operate the system
• Student ambassadors are teaching younger peers how composting works

What began as a small collaboration between the canteen and a few volunteers has grown into a visible shift in daily habits.

Today, students intentionally separate unfinished food before disposing of packaging—demonstrating growing responsibility and care for the environment.

“I think we have already made a step forward when I see students purposely stopping by the food waste bin before heading to the trash,” shared the teacher leading the initiative. “There’s been a positive attitude from students, even in something as simple as waste separation.”

 

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Real Impact, Real Results

The results have been significant:

• 486 kg of food waste composted between November 3 and February 27
• 712 kg total food waste diverted from landfill to date
• Expansion from raw food scraps to include cooked food and event leftovers

This progress brings the school closer to achieving zero food waste in the canteen.

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Learning That Goes Deeper

Beyond operations, the initiative is enriching learning across grade levels:

• Grade 5: Hands-on participation in composting and food waste collection
• Middle School Science: Investigating which materials can be composted
• Grade 8: Exploring how awareness influences behavior change

“What has been especially encouraging is seeing teachers and students take initiative—bringing classes to explore the composter and asking deeper questions about how it works,” the teacher added.

Students are not just learning about sustainability—they are applying scientific thinking, asking questions, and seeing the impact of their work.

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From Waste to Growth

The compost produced is already being used on campus:

• Building raised garden beds for growing mung beans and green beans
• Supporting newly revitalized areas of the student garden

Students are experiencing the full cycle—from waste to renewal—firsthand.

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Extending Beyond the Classroom

The school is also beginning to engage the wider community:

• Parent workshop (November 1)
• Community gardening session with families
• Plans to connect with nearby preschools and the West Coast community

Each step is helping ICS refine how we share and grow this initiative beyond campus.

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Growing Forward

Like any meaningful work, there have been challenges—particularly in sustaining outreach as student leaders transition. Yet these moments create new opportunities for others to step forward and lead.

At ICS, students are not only gaining knowledge. They are developing the character, curiosity, and initiative to make a difference—learning deeply, living purposefully, and growing in their capacity to lead.