Studies & Research

Between August to November 2024 university term, we were again an Industry Partner for SMU-X, collaborating with the course "Teambuilding and Leadership" at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business.

The students supported The Circular Classroom in identifying key partners from the government, business and the social sector to collaborate and create a larger social impact in the communities. With the objective of providing  green job opportunities for marginalised groups and engage more citizens, employees and employers to actively contribute to the Singapore Green Plan 2030, the course goal was to establish strong networks and partnerships with like-minded organisations. These helped us to build up and strengthen an ecosystem that connects and drives the green economy with education.

In 2024, we continued to be an Industry Partner for two academic courses on "Teambuilding and Leadership" and strengthen our partnership with SMU-X.

The first course focused on the further development of a nationwide survey on net-zero classrooms and contributions to the SG Green Plan by students and parents. The course leveraged on the outcomes of a previous SMU-X course with the objective to reach out to more Primary and Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges and ITEs and engage about 20,000 students and parents in a quantitative survey on sustainable consumption practices at home and school. SMU-X students also conducted focus group discussions with student groups, PSG Leaders, parents as well as representatives from the Minstry of Education and Ministry of Sustainability and Environment. On time for SG Go Green, we will compile these final results into a Report and shared with key education stakeholders from the government and civil society . We will also publish the results on this website.

The second SMU-X course that we supported as Industry Partner focused on the development of a marketing plan for our social enterprise. The ideas and insights from students at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business were innovative and dynamic and we will be integrating their proposals in our future operations.

The Singapore Education Lounge is a monthly networking and information session for education professionals.  Organised by the Singapore Education Network and hosted by education institutions and EdTech providers, it brings together educators from K-12 to Higher Education, EdTech experts and representatives from the government and civil society sector to share and learn about emerging trends, challenges and specific thematic issues in the education sector. 

The Circular Classroom hosted  the first Singapore Education Lounge in 2024 on the topic "Circularity in Education: Sustainable Consumption in Schools".  The Co-Founders invited the 30 participants to its co-creation space at PlayPan and designed an experiential learning session that included:

a) presentation of preliminary results of a Singapore-wide study with parents and students on sustainable consumption in schools, in partnership with SMU-X);

b) examples of extra-curricular school activities that drive a circular mindset and sustainable consumption practices among students and parents; and 

c) on-site hands-on activities with pre-loved school uniforms.

The Education Lounge closed with a small reception for all participants to exchange thougths and experiences on the topic and to network.

Photo: Audience of educators and sustainability experts

Under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, Singapore aims to reduce two-thirds of net carbon emissions from the schools’ sector and reach at least 20% of schools to be carbon neutral. Aligned with these goals, the Ministry of Education has integrated environmental sustainability into educational institutions through the 4Cs: 1) curriculum, 2) campus infrastructure, 3) institution culture and practices, and 4) ongoing partnerships with the community.

With merely a decade to go until 2030, it is crucial to understand the knowledge and contributions of key stakeholders in Primary and Secondary Schools towards the Green Plan and analyse perceptions, practices and concerns regarding its implementation on the ground. 

For the Semester 2023/2, The Circular Classroom partnered again with the SMU-X Course  Teambuilding and Leadership. This time, we collaborated on a Study with Parents and Students across Primary and Secondary Schools as well as Junior Colleges in Singapore on their perceptions of the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and Sustainable Consumption in Schools, with a focus on the use of school uniforms. 

The collaboration between SMU-X and The Circular Classroom will continue in Semester 2024/1. The final results will then be compiled in a Report and shared with key stakeholders at the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment. We will also publish the results on this website.

Photo: Students from SMU-X Course with The Circular Classroom

The textile industry has a significant impact on global warming. The sector is one of the biggest contributors to CO2 equivalent emissions, accounting for about 10% of global carbon emissions, and produces 20% of wastewater globally. In addition, chemicals from dyes pollute the air and water, and cause irreparable environmental damage to land and maritime life. To put things in perspective, it takes about 2,700 liters of water to produce a cotton shirt. In comparison, one person would take 10 years to drink 10,000 litres of water.* 

In 2021, Singapore generated 189,000 tonnes of textile and leather waste with only 4 %, or 7,000 tonnes, being recycled. This textile waste also included school uniforms, which form a significant part of school-related waste. While the Ministry of Education of Singapore mandates the use of school uniforms in schools, the reuse, repurposing and recycling of uniforms is at the discretion of parents and students and highly dependent on their individual levels of environmental consciousness and commitment. 

In early 2023, Changkat Primary School (CKPS), the CKPS Parents in Education (PIE) Club and SMU-X initiated the project "The Circular  School". The objective was to help CKPS become a greener school and to demonstrate how an education institution and key stakeholders – especially parents and students - can reduce textile waste generated in the school context and make a meaningful contribution towards Sustainable Development Goals 12 (SDG 12 - Responsible Production and Consumption).

The pilot project at CKPS included a quantative survey with parents and students as well as focus group discussions with representatives from the school, the PIE Club ExCo, CKPS parents and students. Over 300 students and about 100 parents participated in the survey.  

The survey outcomes will be published in a dedicated section on this website soon. One recommendation was to set up a system in Singapore that would promote the sustainable use of school uniforms and contribute to a mindset change towards sustainability among parents and students through awareness creation and knowledge campaigns. This recommendation led to the establishment of the social enterprise The Circular Classroom.

*https://unfccc.int/news/un-helps-fashion-industry-shift-to-low-carbon

Photo: Students from SMU-X Course with CKPS Parents after Focus Group Discussion