Students transform waste into sustainable opportunities

SUHAR, JAN 17
Young innovators from Al Batinah North are demonstrating that environmental responsibility can begin in school corridors and evolve into solutions that benefit society.
Through the environmental initiative ‘A Green Society, Without Loss’, students are placing sustainability, innovation and waste reduction at the heart of creative learning.
The initiative, organised by the General-Directorate of Agricultural and Fisheries Wealth and Water Resources in Suhar, in cooperation with the General-Directorate of Education in Al Batinah North, encourages schools to rethink food waste and agricultural surplus by transforming them into value-added, eco-friendly products.
This year’s projects stood out for their practicality, creativity and potential for long-term impact, moving well beyond awareness campaigns to present solutions with genuine market potential.
Khalda al Khatri, supervisor of the initiative, said the programme was designed to shift students’ mindsets from consumption to innovation. “We wanted students to see waste not as an endpoint, but as a starting point for creativity,” she said.
“The projects we witnessed reflect a deep understanding of environmental responsibility and offer practical examples of the knowledge-based economy being implemented in schools, which aligns closely with Oman Vision 2040.”
Among the most notable innovations was a project developed by students of Al Safaa School in Suhar, where discarded cucumbers were transformed into a natural aromatic oil. Marketed under the name CUCO FRESH, the product demonstrated how simple agricultural waste could be repurposed into environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical-based products.
Another standout project came from Al Ghaizain School, which secured second place with an initiative focused on converting surplus cucumbers into organic compost to improve soil quality and reduce agricultural waste. The project impressed judges with its clear implementation plan and measurable environmental benefits.
Rahma al Ajmi, who leads the second-place team from Al Ghaizain School, said the experience reshaped how students view everyday waste. “We realised that food waste affects not only the environment but also the economy,” she explained.
“Our project aims to support sustainable agriculture while reducing household and farm waste. This competition gave us the confidence to believe that our ideas can truly make a difference.”
Beyond competition, the initiative has strengthened collaboration between students, teachers and local communities, reinforcing sustainability as a shared responsibility.
Participating schools documented their projects through videos and detailed reports, ensuring that innovation was matched with learning, reflection and accountability.
As these student-led solutions continue to gain attention, ‘A Green Society, Without Loss’ is emerging as more than a school competition.
It is evolving into a platform for nurturing environmentally conscious citizens capable of transforming local challenges into sustainable national opportunities.