GreenShell packaging made from paddy straws.

From Paddy Straws to Packaging: GreenShell Idea Triumphs at Scholar Hunt

The TBS Graduates Scholar Hunt, a prestigious competition celebrating innovative student ideas, concluded with a significant win for Umma Fariha Sadek. The event, which saw 1,548 applications narrowed down to 15 finalists, awarded Tk1 lakh each to the top nine participants for their sustainable and socially impactful business concepts.

GreenShell: A Sustainable Packaging Revolution

Umma Fariha Sadek, a final-year student from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at Rajshahi University, clinched the championship with her groundbreaking idea, GreenShell. This innovative concept focuses on creating eco-friendly, single-use food packaging from leftover paddy straws, a common agricultural by-product. The initiative aims to combat the pervasive issue of plastic pollution in Bangladesh, where single-use plastics from food packaging constitute a significant portion of waste.

Tackling Waste and Empowering Farmers

GreenShell addresses two critical environmental challenges: agricultural waste management and plastic pollution. By repurposing paddy straws, the project not only diverts waste from landfills but also offers rural farmers an additional income stream through the sale of their straw. The packaging is designed to be durable, food-safe, and fully biodegradable, promoting a circular economy by transforming waste into a valuable resource.

Key Takeaways

  • GreenShell utilises paddy straw waste for eco-friendly food packaging.
  • The initiative aims to reduce plastic pollution and support rural farmers.
  • Fariha's team, 'Freaks and Geeks', also includes Md Prithiraj Prodhan and Sakib Faisal.
  • The project has previously been recognised, reaching the Top 12 in another competition.

Future Plans and Funding

Fariha expressed her gratitude and pride in the achievement, stating that the win validates the hard work and potential of the GreenShell idea. The prize money will be used to develop a working prototype and conduct rigorous testing to ensure its functionality and sustainability. The team also plans to seek further funding through government grants, angel investors, and venture capitalists to scale the project from prototype to production. Their ultimate goal is to bring GreenShell to market as a viable alternative to plastic packaging, contributing to waste reduction and environmental preservation.

About the Scholar Hunt

The TBS Graduates Scholar Hunt, organised by The Business Standard in association with TBS Graduates, is a flagship event designed to inspire university students. It features three categories: Business Administration, Architecture, and Engineering and Technology, encouraging strategic thinking and creative problem-solving with real-world impact.

Sources

Back to blog