Sustainability often begins with simple acts—and at Little Green House @ Block 540 Serangoon North, that act came in the form of a banner and a big imagination.

As part of last year’s Tree Planting Day at Jalan Kayu division, residents and MPs from Ang Mo Kio GRC, Kebun Baru SMC, and Yio Chu Kang SMC came together to plant trees and reaffirm our collective commitment to a greener future. After the event, the banner used was not discarded, but instead handed over to the preschool with a special challenge: could they give it a new lease of life?

The answer was a resounding yes. Over the weeks that followed, the teachers and students worked hand-in-hand to upcycle the banner into four creatively designed tote bags, each one brimming with personality, purpose, and paint.

🎨 Young Voices for a Greener Tomorrow

Six-year-old Francesca couldn’t wait to get started: “My favourite part was using glow-in-the-dark paint to draw on the tote bags!” Her final design featured trees, flowers, and rabbits—symbols of her hope to “save the earth.” Classmate Asher added, “I drew plants and flowers because I like nature and want to protect it.” Tharun painted a cheerful sun and greenery, saying, “I want to help the environment to stay green.”

For the children, this wasn’t just another art project—it was a hands-on lesson in care, creativity, and conservation.

🌱 Teaching Sustainability Through Action

The teachers at Little Green House saw the activity as a powerful opportunity to nurture environmental responsibility. Ms Michelle Teo shared that the project began after she asked her class what they valued most. “They said animals. So I asked how we can protect animals and their home. Their answers—like not littering into the ocean—showed they already had a strong sense of empathy and environmental awareness.”

Ms Kathrina Cabigao noted how the activity sparked deeper thinking: “The upcycling helped them realise that everyday items—what we often call waste—can be transformed into something useful. It made them think critically about how we use and discard things.” The children even surprised their teachers by suggesting creative ideas for repurposing other materials. “They took great pride in their work and were eager to show their tote bags to others,” she added.

🎁 Celebrating Their Efforts

To recognise the students’ efforts and creativity, Mr Ho Juan San, General Manager and Secretary of Ang Mo Kio Town Council, visited the preschool to present each child with a souvenir. The visit was a small but meaningful token of appreciation for their big contribution to the community's green journey.

💬 Inspiring More Green Collaborations

The Little Green House project is a shining example of how community, creativity, and care for the environment can come together. Through this simple upcycling initiative, children gained valuable lessons, teachers saw their students grow, and a community banner was given a second life.

If your school is interested in taking part in similar upcycling collaborations—turning banners into tote bags, pouches, or more—we’d love to hear from you. Send us a message and let’s build a greener town, together.

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