The earth is facing serious environmental threats brought about by the problems of waste management. As an institution that values environmental sustainability, the KDI School takes pride in implementing practical yet impactful initiatives to help reduce waste production and promote a zero-waste lifestyle. One of its initiatives to help promote a sustainable lifestyle is the "Clean Plate Challenge.”

The campaign is an initiative aimed at reducing food waste and encouraging responsible consumption in the school’s cafeteria. It is under the “Precycling” component of KDI School’s PURE Campaign, an environmental sustainability management master plan centered on reducing waste and enhancing eco-friendly practices in the school.

The Clean Plate Challenge was introduced to encourage responsible consumption by students. Since its Launch in January of this year, the Clean Plate Challenge has contributed to a reduction in food waste, promoting more responsible eating habits among students and staff. It has also raised environmental awareness within the school community, fostered a culture of sustainability, and promoted eco-conscious behavior and includes other initiatives such as operating a zero disposable cup cafe.

One of the inspiring and most passionate students who actively participated in the Clean Plate Challenge is David Woo, who has won several times for the past three semesters. I sat down with him to discuss why he is so passionate about this very important environmental cause. Below is a snippet of our short talk:

What is your inspiration in being very passionate about participating in KDI School’s Clean Plate Challenge? How important is this initiative in your opinion?

I make it a habit to simply get as much as I want and completely clean my plate to minimize waste. Since I am at school anyway and eating in the school cafeteria, it just made sense to participate in the challenge. Why pass up free stuff?

What other personal zero waste and sustainability initiatives do you practice?

I enjoy baking and cooking in my spare time and have switched to putting my foodstuff in reusable containers rather than plastic packaging. I consider myself to be a pretty boring person as I usually just stay at home and on my computer, so the other initiatives I pursue are the everyday stuff of reducing consumption, reusing what I can, and recycling what I can't. On a larger scale, I am also pursuing an academic and professional interest in environmental-related research in hopes that energy production becomes sourced from renewable options h the future.

What message do you want to share with other people, especially the younger generation, on what they need to realize and their role in promoting a Zero Waste Lifestyle to help save the earth?

The so-called "alarm bells" that scientists have been ringing about climate change - it's serious and will affect a good majority of us. We need to do our part for a greener tomorrow, no matter how small it might be. There probably won't be a single gigantic answer to solve this climate change crisis, but rather, it can be addressed through incremental and cumulative changes from each one of us. And that can start within us. Indeed, the fight towards environmental sustainability and a cleaner and greener earth lies within our hands - and on our plates. Protecting our planet starts with the realization that we are the ones who will suffer from the negative effects of the climate crisis. The Clean Plate Challenge is a practical yet impactful step towards reducing global waste and greenhouse gas emissions which shall allow us to breathe easier and enjoy a better Life in the years to come. We are the solution. We are the answer!