Teens' invention tackles air pollution woes in burning of paper offerings

Team part of new programme to spur youth to solve community issues

- Gabrielle Chan

The prototype by the Ash to Cash group, showing an innovative way to minimise pollution and debris during the burning of offerings.

A group of teenagers have developed an innovative burner filter system with an ash collection box to address the public safety hazards and environmental impact of burning paper offerings.

Aged 14 to 17, the seven students got together in June to look into concerns about the smoke from the burning of paper offerings. They include the risk to people with health issues, air pollution and the litter left behind, such as ash and debris.

Group member Jonathan Liang, an Anderson Serangoon Junior College student, said many people "face discomfort during the Hungry Ghost Month, including asthmatic people who are sometimes forced to close their windows and doors, and have to live in a stuffy house for the whole time".

The 17-year-old also noted that children inhale the smoke when they play in the void deck or playground.

The members of his group, Ash to Cash, are among 200 students from 11 secondary schools, four junior colleges and two polytechnics who participated in a new programme to encourage young people to solve community problems.

These students were supported by 54 students from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Temasek Polytechnic, who mentored the teams.