What happens when curious young minds are challenged to rethink waste and sustainability? For the students of Tendruk Central School in Samtse and Khamdang Lower Secondary School in Trashi Yangtse, even a pile of wastepaper and plastics became a spark for innovation. At the National Innovation Challenge 2026, they transformed everyday waste into biodegradable plastics and recycled-paper pens, emerging as this year’s winners.
Students of Tendruk Central School developed biodegradable bioplastic using plastic waste, that decomposes within four to five months.
Their project, Druk Eco Nova aims to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable packaging.
Karma Choden, a student from Tendruk Central School said, “Our future plan is to collaborate with the Samtse industrial hub because Samtse is known as industrial hub. So why we want to collaborate with them because like as when they are making a juice, they are throwing the cover, and peel of the fruits. So, that’s why instead of throwing that, instead of wasting our money, by using that, we can make our product.”
Similarly, Khamdang Lower Secondary School introduced recycled-paper pens called Green Heart Ngugu to tackle paper waste in schools while promoting afforestation.
Tshering Dawa, a student from Khamdang Lower Secondary School said, “We chose this project as, in our community, waste paper is commonly found. And our future plan is to substitute the usage of plastic pens and to further improve the design and quality of our pen.”
The fourth edition of the challenge brought together 32 students from eight schools, ranging from primary to higher secondary levels.
The challenge focused around the theme greener Bhutan.
The winning teams were awarded 120,000 ngultrum as seed money to further develop and implement their projects.
Other winners also got cash prizes.
The Ministry of Education and Skills Development in collaboration with the Bhutan Youth Development Fund and UNICEF organised the programme.
Officials say the platform, along with continued innovation support, will empower young people to take initiative and address challenges within their communities, further strengthening Bhutan’s education system.
Namgay Wangdi
