In Taiwan, drinking tea is a part of everyday life, but the waste they generate often goes unnoticed. Kate and Catherine, two high school seniors from Taiwan, took on the challenge of transforming tea waste into an innovative solution for environmental protection through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow.

Their project repurposes discarded tea leaves into oil absorbent sheets, providing a sustainable option for industries that rely on clean water, like river preservation groups and the food industry. In the process, two students developed valuable skills that will guide them in future challenges.

A Learning Journey Through Mentorship and Collaboration

Kate shared, “Through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow’s mentoring session, I was able to reconsider the relationship with different stakeholders and how I can convince them to support my idea.” This guidance broadened her approach, moving from environmental focus to one that also considered practical implementation.

Catherine further explained how the mentoring course helped them improve their proposal and said, “Mentors not only guided us toward completing our proposals, but they also helped us see in a various perspective, enabling us to avoid blind spots. Through mentoring, we were able to get a new approach for problem-solving.”

Moving Forward with Confidence and Purpose

After months of hard work, Kate and Catherine’s project earned significant recognition for addressing a common issue with innovation and thorough execution. The jury was particularly impressed with how the students had identified a relevant problem, proposed comprehensive solutions, and remained committed to bringing their product to life. This recognition gave both students the confidence to believe in their ideas and the impact they could have on the world.

“Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is not just a mere competition; it’s a journey that inspires high school students to think innovatively and realize their dreams,” said Tiffany Chen, Head of Marketing Group, Samsung Electronics Taiwan. “We are delighted to be together with students step by step over the years, supporting them in transforming their creativity into concrete actions that address local problems. Through ideas of the sustainability of Taiwan's unique tea culture, protecting precious marine resources, or caring for the health of the elderly in an aging society, we have witnessed this generation's deep concern for society and their boundless potential to change the world through technology.”

Looking ahead, Kate and Catherine plan to apply the skills they gained from Samsung Solve for Tomorrow to their future studies and business ventures. “In the future, we hope to apply the proposal, practical, and briefing skills that we had acquired from Samsung Solve for Tomorrow to future studies and business ventures,” they shared. They also look forward to the possibility of seeing their oil absorbent sheets commercialized and available on the market one day.