Phuc, a grade 11 Physics student at Huynh Man Dat High School for the Gifted, is a passionate environmentalist who has come up with an innovative way to address plastic waste on the beach. With his group of friends, he discovered a formula that uses rice husks and dolomite rock powder to create pellets that can be burned as fuel. This product was presented at Techfest Quang Nam 2024 and caught the attention of many people at Quang Nam Startup Week.
Phuc observed over 600 schools in Kien Giang burning their own garbage, leading to health issues from dust and odors. To address this environmental concern, he researched and tested different combinations of local by-products and waste to improve the combustion efficiency of plastic waste. After two months of experimentation, he discovered that a combination of 70% rice husk, 30% plastic, and dolomite stone powder as a catalyst resulted in pellets that reduced harmful emissions significantly. These pellets emitted lower levels of toxic substances into the environment compared to burning plastic and rice husks alone.
The renewable pellets not only help in addressing plastic waste but also provide an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative for fuel. With its potential to reduce harmful emissions, lower operational costs for waste treatment, and contribute to national energy security, the renewable pellets have garnered recognition in various competitions and contests. Phuc’s goal is to inspire others to adopt sustainable and innovative solutions in addressing environmental challenges.
Dr. Nguyen Xuan Niem, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Kien Giang province, believes that the product has significant potential for practical application. By utilizing readily available and cost-effective materials in Kien Giang, the renewable pellets offer a promising solution to reducing toxic gas emissions and promoting sustainable energy practices.
In conclusion, Truong Thanh Phuc’s innovative idea has brought attention not only to Techfest Quang Nam 2024 but also at Quang Nam Startup Week by presenting an affordable solution for reducing harmful emissions while providing an alternative source of fuel. The potential impact on national energy security makes it all the more important for sustainable solutions like these to be adopted in addressing environmental challenges.
