The Chilean school tackling eucalyptus waste with its student-led EcoTransforma project
Kingston College, an independent kindergarten, primary, and secondary school in Concepción, Bío Bío Region, Chile, is tackling the severe environmental impact of widespread eucalyptus waste through its student-led EcoTransforma project. The extensive eucalyptus plantations in the region contribute to soil acidification, droughts, and loss of biodiversity. Added to this, the planned logging of densely packed trees near the school has resulted in excess leaf litter waste that is highly flammable, posing a risk of wildfires.
Initiated by the students to turn these challenges into opportunities, the hands-on learning experience has led to the development of several awareness campaigns and sustainability projects that are acting as the seedbed for a broader environmental movement within the school. Through a situated learning approach, students have developed solutions for collecting and transforming waste into eco-friendly products like biodegradable detergents, and created eco panels out of leaves, already in use to build shelters for abandoned dogs, with prototypes being tested for other applications. To tackle soil acidification, droughts, and biodiversity, the first stage of an extensive student-led reforestation project to replace eucalyptus with native trees that are more environmentally suitable has been implemented in the school’s greenhouse, with the whole community actively participating in the planting process to recover the environmental balance. Teamwork is fundamental to successfully implementing projects, allowing students to learn collaboration skills while developing scientific, technological, and leadership competencies.
More than 100 students have actively participated in the transformation of eucalyptus waste since the project’s inception, 80% of the participants have increased their knowledge about the eucalyptus problem and its solutions, and 50% of the students involved have developed skills in chemistry, biotechnology and the manufacture of environmentally friendly products. More than 100 native trees have been planted in the school greenhouse, and there has been a 30% reduction in the accumulation of eucalyptus waste in the school environment. In 2023, the school received environmental certification. It was awarded the "green seal" for its environmental practices and social action. It regularly shares materials and models with schools across the country to validate the experience and share learnings. There has been a noticeable mind shift in the local community where concepts of reuse and sustainability have now become a part of everyday life.
Kingston College is living proof that hands-on, collaborative, and values-driven education can shape engaged students with critical thinking skills and a proactive ethos of participation.
