KOTA BHARU: What is typically thrown away is finding a new purpose in Kelantan, where used eggshells are being turned into organic fertilizer via a community-based project that combines environmental care, education, and soothing therapy.
At Min House CampIn Kubang Kerian, children with Down syndrome collaborate with university students and international volunteers in an outdoor environment, demonstrating that simple, actionable concepts can make a significant difference for both individuals and the ecosystem.
As stated by the president of the Kelantan Down Syndrome Association, Wan Noriah Wan Ramli, the eggshell project is managed by the association at Min House Camp, which is officially registered with the social welfare department and has been operating for a decade.
Eggshells are among the primary materials utilized. They are frequently discarded, but their calcium content is very advantageous for soil fertility and plant development, she mentioned to Bernama.
The initiative has recently been awarded the Down Syndrome Empowerment Fund for 2026, aiming to create organic fertilizer and compost from natural resources. To aid this project, Min House Camp collaborates with schools to gather and donate dried eggshells for composting purposes.
Wan Noriah mentioned that the process serves a dual purpose: generating fertilizer and assisting children with Down syndrome in improving their fine motor skills by crushing and grinding the shells.
This approach can be effortlessly maintained at home using eggshells from the kitchen, and it aids in increasing consciousness regarding appreciating materials that are typically considered as trash, she mentioned.
The initiative is also backed by students from higher education institutions, such as Universiti Malaysia Kelantan and Politeknik Kota Bharu, who alternate in offering their time and expertise at the camp.
Up to now, over 1,100kg of eggshells have been gathered from schools, residences, eateries, and hotels, with the majority of the shells being dried prior to utilization.
This effort is not intended to make a profit; we focus on exchanging knowledge and resources to inform the community about cost reduction, environmental protection, and peaceful coexistence, Wan Noriah mentioned.
In the meantime, the Community Seed Resort Initiative collaborates with groups to distribute organic seeds and promote recycling methods, aiming to foster stronger communities that rely less on commercial supplies.
For international volunteer Elias Azzakriti, 27, hailing from Morocco, this experience provided new perspectives on sustainability. I was unaware that eggshells could serve as organic fertilizer, even though traditional ways of living are prevalent in my country, he mentioned.
Another volunteer, Anas Zehti, aged 26, pointed out that the recycling procedure includes breaking down eggshells into tiny fragments and combining them with the soil to naturally enhance its texture.
I wish to disseminate this information to communities in different nations, he concluded.