TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Three students from Kouhu Junior High School (口湖國中) in Yunlin presented an oyster shell cleaning agent at the Design For Change Global Children's Conference in Tokyo Thursday through Sunday (Nov. 27-30). The conference brought together over 500 children from 32 countries to share creative solutions to local sustainability issues. The Taiwanese students demonstrated how they transformed coastal waste into an effective cleaning product.
Wang Po-yuan (王柏淵), Hsu Huai-chin (許懷瑾), and Wang Chia-yin (王嘉胤) developed the cleaning agent through a Design For Change Taiwan program. The students explored their coastal community in Yunlin, Taiwan's southwestern county, where oyster farming generates significant shell waste that causes odor and environmental challenges. They researched oyster shell components and transformed them into an effective cleaning product.
The students demonstrated the conversion process of oyster shells from coastal waste to cleaning agent during the conference, presenting experimental results to attendees. They showcased their homemade cleaning agent and test records showing calcium carbonate absorption in the shells, which drew significant interest from participants. DFC Taiwan, the program organizer, noted this year's conference included a world expo for the first time, featuring 59 groups of children from various countries sharing sustainability initiatives.
The students acted as "child ambassadors" in cultural exchange activities, sharing Taiwan's landscapes and performing traditional games including yo-yo demonstrations and classic Taiwanese pinball. Their participation showcased how young minds can address environmental challenges through creative collaboration and international dialogue. The conference provided a platform for students worldwide to present innovative sustainability solutions. ◼