Sustainable Innovators – Digitally Shaping Community Composting

It was an ordinary Saturday morning for seniors who had gathered at their neighbourhood when a group of youths arrived, laptops in hand, ready to share something new.

The youths had learnt all about the technology behind digital composting at a prior workshop, and came equipped to share how technology can be applied to gardening with the senior participants.

This workshop was part of the Sustainable Innovators project, an initiative which uses digital technologies to help seniors and young people learn how to make gardening more environmentally sustainable through self-made compost.

A Volunteer-to-Skills Accelerator

The Sustainable Innovators project was developed as a volunteer-to-skills accelerator, offering youth hands-on experience with digital composting — an approach that leverages technology to make composting more intelligent and efficient.

Youth participants then applied their newly acquired technology skills by leading interactive activities with seniors. This intergenerational collaboration empowered the youth and helped seniors build digital confidence.

Participants gathered for a group photo after learning and bonding through an engaging digital composting workshop.

17 seniors and seven youth volunteers joined the project to explore technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), MicroPython, and data visualisation. Using these technologies, they monitored key composting metrics such as temperature, moisture, and the progress of decomposition. Along the way, the seniors and volunteers bonded over using technologies to build a more sustainable community.

Filling Knowledge Gaps Together

Sustainable Innovators’ project leaders, Audrey and Niki, were inspired to start the programme when they noticed both youths and seniors were not knowledgeable about composting, despite prior interests in gardening.

Audrey shared, “We saw an opportunity to bridge this gap while also fostering meaningful intergenerational connections. For seniors, this initiative provides an opportunity to familiarise themselves with digital tools in a hands-on and engaging manner.”

During the programme, youths developed key digital skills, including understanding IoT technology, setting up IoT-enabled composting bins, and creating data visualisation dashboards. They then applied those skills by installing and configuring smart sensors to monitor compost conditions and designing dashboards that displayed real-time data insights.

Participants listened attentively as a youth volunteer shared information on digital composting and sustainable living at the workshop.

This technology-driven approach helps ensure efficient composting, reduces decomposition time, and promotes sustainable waste management at home.

Guiding with Empathy

Having prior experiences with teaching seniors, Niki and Audrey were prepared for some to feel overwhelmed by the introduction of new technology, or to be unsure of their ability to grasp unfamiliar concepts.

"To overcome these challenges, our youths were patient, providing one-on-one guidance and breaking down complex tasks into simple, manageable steps to ensure that the seniors felt comfortable and confident," Niki shared.

Ultimately, the gentle encouragement and patience of the young volunteers made all the difference. After all, it was never about rushing through learning how to use a novel technology, but about nurturing trust and confidence and encouraging discovery together. This dynamic not only strengthens seniors’ digital literacy but also empowers youths with leadership and teaching skills.

Bridging Generations, Building Bonds

For Sustainable Innovators, it was the bond formed through shared goals and mutual learning that made the most lasting impact.

Malavika, a youth volunteer from Singapore Management University, reflected on the meaningful opprtunity to connect with those from a different generation. “I do think that volunteering is very enjoyable,” she shared. “It’s not something that I would usually be doing. I don’t get many opportunities to interact with the elderly, so this is quite a different experience for me.”

Participants collaborated closely, exploring digital tools on the laptop to enhance their composting skills and sustainability knowledge.

In addition to decomposing food leftovers, the compost piles the participants constructed laid the groundwork for a more environmentally friendly and cohesive community. Participants used technology to track and improve their composting procedures, increasing their efficacy and efficiency.

Overall, the programme helped participants to have a better understanding of the environmental advantages of composting, such as waste reduction and DIY soil enrichment. By promoting the use of digital composting in daily life, the project encouraged environmentally favourable and sustainable habits.

“As more people learn how to use these tools, the project helps raise awareness about the environmental benefits of composting, such as waste reduction and soil enrichment. By incorporating technology, we can make composting more accessible, accurate, and impactful, contributing to a more sustainable community,” Audrey said.

For the youth volunteers, the workshop was a reminder that meaningful change often begins with patience, empathy, and a shared willingness to learn. They found great fulfilment in guiding the elderly participants through unfamiliar digital tools, and watching participants grasp new concepts and apply them confidently affirmed just how approachable technology can be with the right support.

“Digital for Life helped to support this initiative by keeping seniors and youth interested in the new technologies that appear — not only by name, but to dig deeper into it and apply it for daily life,” Niki said.