Can Tho, afternoon of August 1, 2026, 150 students from both Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho City participated in Season 2 of the "No Waste Now" program. More than just a competition, this event showcased the passionate ideas of the younger generation seeking solutions for sustainable development in the Mekong Delta region.
An Explosion of Emotions from the Exhibition to the Pitching Stage
From the very first minutes of the Gallery Walk (Idea Exhibition) round, the display area came alive. Each poster and sample product represented not only intellect but also countless sleepless nights of research by the student teams.
Projects exhibition during the Gallery Walk (Idea Exhibition) round
With only 3 short minutes facing the Board of Judges, these young contenders gave their all to fully convey the "zero waste" message embedded in each model. The judging panel for this round consisted of faculty members from University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Can Tho University of Technology, and Greenwich University Can Tho.
Faculty members on the Board of Judges for the Gallery Walk (Idea Exhibition) round.
The heat reached its peak as the top 6 out of 27 project teams entered the live pitching competition. Facing tough, highly practical counter-questions from a 7-member panel composed of business representatives, the students courageously defended their "brainchildren" with sharp arguments and an intense desire to contribute.
The Board of Judges for the Final Round of No Waste 2026 Season 2.
Honoring Fruitful Efforts
The award ceremony took place amid breathtaking suspense and an explosion of emotions. Happy smiles, tight hugs from teammates, and tears of pride flowed as the winning projects were called out one by one:
- First Prize: Breakthrough from Agricultural By-products Awarded to the MiSmart Wrap Project (UEH). With a groundbreaking idea to turn discarded jackfruit peels into smart bio-packaging, the project not only optimizes costs but also paints a bright future for the circular economy.
- Second Prize: A Fresh Breath from Pineapple Leaves: The PinaCycle Project (UEH) won over the judges by reviving seemingly discarded pineapple leaves into high-value bio-products.
- Third Prize: The Solution for Clean Waters: The PinaCore Project (Greenwich University Can Tho) made a strong impression with its floating module for recirculating aquaculture water and recovering nutrients into biomass.
- 3 Consolation Prizes: Granted to the SmartSoil 4G Project (Can Tho University of Technology) with an IoT platform for comprehensive soil health monitoring; the PineapplePain Project (UEH); and the Piperica Project - Vi Thuy Betel Village (UEH).
The moment announcing the First and Second Prize teams.
The Second Prize team (on the left) and the First Prize team (on the right).
The Third Prize team.
The three Consolation Prize teams.
All participating teams of No Waste 2026 Season 2.
The No Waste 2026 Season 2 program left a deep impression on all attendees. Looking at the radiant eyes of the students holding their certificates, there is strong confidence that the flame of innovation will continue to spread strongly. Today's green ideas will not stop on paper, but will continue to be sown, grow, and bear fruit right on the soil of the Delta region!
