Sustainability

Solar Powered School

In 2018, HeadStart made local history by installing the largest solar power system in Phuket. Our stunning 550 kWp photovoltaic solar system means that 80% of the school’s total consumption comes from green, renewable and sustainable energy and it is the largest solar powered installation of any school in Thailand. 55% of the solar modules are installed on the roof of the main building, while the remaining 45% has been intelligently designed to provide shading for the car park, adding an extra benefit for parents.

Growing Garden

In collaboration with The Phuket Farmers we have invested in a growing garden in order to promote teaching students how to grow their own food. We have started with planting white radish, basil (holy and sweet), chili, Malabar spinach, Sawtooth, coriander, dill, corn (purple and sweet), eggplants, green and red Amaranth, Morning Glory, Katuk (Pak Waan in Thai), ginger, turmeric, winged beans, yard long beans, watercress, butterfly peas, passion fruits, banana trees, watermelons, sunflowers and flowers (Cosmos, Marigold, Zinnia) to attract beneficial insects such as bees and ladybugs and Birds of paradise to create a natural barrier.

Incorporating Sustainability in our Design & Technology

Design and Technology students in Year 7 and Year 9 at HeadStart have been exploring the world of sustainable design and manufacturing. As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, it has never been more crucial to develop sustainable products that minimize waste and reduce our impact on the planet. The Year 7s were tasked with creating designs that would promote sustainability. They were then able to bring their designs to life by using a sublimation process to print them onto cloth tote bags. This process involves the use of heat and pressure to transfer the design onto the material, resulting in a high-quality, long-lasting product. By using cloth tote bags instead of single-use plastic bags, the Year 7s are helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans and landfills.

In Year 9, students explored sustainable manufacturing techniques by using scrap pieces of plywood to create pot holders using a laser cutter. By repurposing materials that would otherwise go to waste, the students were able to create functional and attractive products while reducing their environmental impact. Laser cutting is a precision manufacturing technique that uses a high-powered laser to cut and engrave materials with incredible accuracy.

At the school’s Eco Club, students have been working on sustainable design projects during their lunch breaks. One project involved creating new sheets for key ring fobs using recycled HDPE and PP plastic. HDPE and PP plastics are commonly used in packaging and can be recycled to create new products. By repurposing these materials, the students are helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our environment.

The school’s commitment to sustainable design and manufacturing extends beyond the classroom. By engaging students in hands-on projects and providing them with access to state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, the school is preparing them for a future in which sustainability is increasingly important.

As the world continues to face environmental challenges, it is crucial that we prioritize sustainable design and manufacturing. By educating the next generation of designers and manufacturers on the importance of sustainability, we can work towards a more sustainable future. The projects undertaken by Year 7 and Year 9 students at HeadStart are an excellent example of how we can all do our part to reduce waste, minimize our impact on the environment, and create products that are both functional and beautiful.

Plastic Recycling Centre

We have invested in plastic grinders, a washer, a plastic sheet press, an extrusion machine and a vacuum mold. These machines have enabled us to teach students the full scope of taking discarded plastics and turning them into useful products.

Reduction of Single-Use Plastic

We have made considerable effort to limit single-use plastic throughout the school starting in the coffee shop and extending to the classrooms. Every department in the school, ranging from Food Services to housekeeping, has been given the challenge reduce, reuse and recycle and implement ways in which their systems and processes are sustainable over time.

Food Donations

After meeting representatives from the Scholars of Sustenance, our Food Service Committee felt compelled to support the good work the foundation is doing. For the last few years, we have committed to donating surplus food to vulnurable communities in both private and government care facilities such as foster homes. Did you know? HeadStart lunch food scraps are collected by farmers and used as animal feed so that no food goes to waste.

HeadStart Supports First Eco Catamaran ‘License to Clean 001’

In 2020, the HeadStart community came together to raise over 300,000 Baht to co-sponsor ‘001’, a catamaran purpose built to collecting floating rubbish. This project was initiated by the Oceans For All Foundation based in Phuket. The idea was, and continues to be that the rubbish collected is separated and sent to recycling centers around the island, providing a source of income for local communities. In addition to this, it also supports one of the core missions of the foundation which is to prevent marine life feeding on floating plastic. The boat is made from high density 100% recycled polyethylene thermoplastic or HDPE. The video link provided below gives you an idea of what the boat looks like and how it operates.