Every day, large amounts of food scraps are discarded from homes, schools and restaurants. When sent to landfills, this waste contributes to pollution and environmental degradation. Although composting offers a sustainable way to recycle organic waste, conventional methods are often slow, labour-intensive and require frequent monitoring.
Inspired by a simple question, “Could yesterday’s food scraps help grow tomorrow’s plants?”, our team set out to develop a smarter solution to food waste management. The result was the Smart CircularTech Composting System, an innovation designed to transform organic waste into high-quality compost through automation, renewable energy and smart monitoring.
The Smart CircularTech Composting System.
The system uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor temperature and humidity in real time, helping maintain optimal composting conditions with minimal manual intervention. Temperature and moisture play a crucial role in supporting the microorganisms responsible for decomposition. By maintaining suitable conditions throughout the composting process, the system accelerates decomposition and produces more consistent compost.
Powered by solar energy, the system reduces reliance on conventional electricity while promoting environmentally responsible practices. An automated fertigation feature further enhances sustainability by reusing nutrient-rich compost extract as a natural fertiliser to support plant growth. This creates a circular system in which organic waste is converted into valuable resources instead of being discarded.
Compost quality is evaluated based on factors such as texture, nutrient content, maturity and its ability to support healthy plant growth. Designed for schools, homes, farms and urban communities, the Smart CircularTech Composting System provides a practical solution for managing organic waste, reducing landfill disposal and encouraging more sustainable agricultural practices. While the prototype has demonstrated promising results, further testing is needed to evaluate its long-term performance, compost quality and suitability for wider implementation.
The effectiveness and originality of the Smart CircularTech Composting System were recognised at the Asian Youth Innovation Awards (AYIA) 2026, where the project received the Gold Award. Held alongside the 25th Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur from 9 to 11 April 2026, AYIA is one of the region’s leading innovation competitions. The event brings together students and young innovators from across Asia to showcase creative solutions that address real-world challenges.
Participating in AYIA 2026 was an enriching experience. After months of planning, testing and continuous refinement, our team confidently presented the Smart CircularTech Composting System to judges, educators, researchers, industry representatives and fellow innovators. The preparation process demanded commitment, teamwork, resilience and problem-solving, with every member contributing to the project’s successful presentation.
Throughout the exhibition, the team gained valuable insights through interactions with judges, educators, researchers, university representatives and fellow innovators. These exchanges provided constructive feedback, sparked new ideas and introduced us to emerging technologies and innovative practices. The experience strengthened our confidence in the project’s potential to contribute towards sustainable development.
One of the proudest moments of the event was receiving the Gold Award. The award recognised the Smart CircularTech Composting System’s originality, practicality and sustainability while reflecting the team’s hard work and perseverance throughout the project. Receiving this recognition in a highly competitive field spanning environmental sustainability, engineering, education technology, ICT, entrepreneurship and social innovation was a proud achievement for our team, school and supporters.
Beyond the competition, AYIA 2026 highlighted the important role young people can play as future leaders and changemakers. The event demonstrated how innovation can transform food waste into valuable resources while contributing to more sustainable communities. It also reminded us that everyday challenges can inspire practical solutions with meaningful environmental impact.
The team in a picture taken alongside one of the jury members, Mr Nazmi Lao (far left), from Akademi Sains Malaysia.
Participating on this international platform has motivated our team to continue exploring new ideas and developing practical innovations that benefit both society and the environment. We are deeply grateful to our teachers, mentors, school administrators, parents and supporters for their unwavering guidance and encouragement throughout this journey. Their belief in our team’s potential made this achievement possible. While winning the Gold Award at AYIA 2026 marks an important milestone, it is only the beginning of our journey towards creating sustainable innovations that benefit future generations.
Prepared by:
Dr Menaga a/p Vesudevan
(Team Wirawati SEMINDA)
