We are thrilled to congratulate our Form 3 students of Sekolah Menengah Paragon — Ang Lit Jie, Lim Le Tao, Justin Tan Jun Yuan, Meghna, Tee Ya Xuan, Jong Zheng Quan, and Lioe Darren — who have won the prestigious Gold Award at the Virtual Innovative Competition 2024 for their project, “Be A Forest Ranger: Use Leaf Paper.” Under the guidance of Dr. Tan Yong Chee, these students explored sustainable alternatives to traditional papermaking by using banana leaves, grass, and pandan leaves to produce
eco-friendly paper.
Their research found that banana leaf and grass papers are superior due to their strong texture and water resistance, unlike pandan leaf paper, which disintegrates when soaked.
All tested leaf papers maintained a neutral pH value of 6, indicating minimal environmental impact. The durability of pen ink on these papers further underscores their practicality.
This innovative work highlights the potential of leaf paper as a renewable resource that can help reduce deforestation and align with global conservation efforts. Their findings, published in APS Proceedings Volume 14 (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.12794812), suggest that the commercialization of leaf paper could transform the paper industry, offering a sustainable alternative that meets both consumer and business needs while reducing the environmental footprint.
Weare incredibly proud of these students for their exceptional achievement and contribution to sustainability. Congratulations on your well-deserved success!