2024 SRS Youth Leadership Training Completed Successfully
Apr.17.2025
From November 2024 to March 2025, with the support of the Kraft Heinz Group, three phases of the SRS Youth Leadership Training attracted students from dozens of high schools and universities in and around Shanghai.
This training focused on creating zero-waste campuses. Through three phases of training, SRS aims to guide students to learn about zero-waste, practice different skill sets, and generate their own zero-waste campus plans. Focusing on SDGs, students toured the manufacturing facilities, and were also exposed to ESG strategies and practices from different perspectives.
Phase I: Field Visit
On November 23, the launch ceremony for the training was held at Kraft Heinz’ Shanghai Factory. The managers served as lecturers, sharing their ESG policies and helping the students understand what ESG is and what Kraft Heinz has done in protecting environment. They also took the student groups on a guided tour around the facilities, showing them how every individual can make a positive impact.
Phase II: ESG Practices Sharing
On December 21, students arrived at the Kraft Heinz Shanghai headquarters for the second training session. The management team introduced the Group’s efforts in energy conservation and emission reduction, as well as in sustainability and net zero goals, such as heat recovery, biomass fuel, lighting and water saving systems in various factories, etc. They also explained what responsible supply chains should do, from raw material procurement, to manufacturing process and final product design and delivery. The students also had a chance to improve their project management skills by learning and practicing on their own, under the guidance of the experts.
Phase III: Zero-waste Practices
On March 1, 2025, two experienced guest speakers were invited to talk about “zero waste”. Cherry ZHAO, Executive Director of Chengdu Roots & Shoots, introduced their experience with building zero waste campuses and communities; while Valerie Hsu, Director of TerraCycle China, shared some sustainable solutions on disposal of “non-recyclable” waste. Later Shanghai Roots & Shoots and Kraft Heinz awarded the students with certificates of completion.
Factory President Mr. Keji XIA created a summary of the Youth Leadership Training. Through three training phases, the students’ understanding of ESG was improved. Many students said they will utilize what has been learnt and utilize the project management tools in their future club activities.
On the same day, Shanghai Roots & Shoots announced that the relaunch of the Green Seedling Fund with the support of Kraft Heinz. R&S groups from six schools successfully applied for funds in different amounts. With the help of the volunteer mentors from Kraft Heinz, the students’ programs will be implemented in the spring semester, including the Zero-Waste Campus Campaign, the Riverbank Plastic Clean-up, the Battery Recycling Campaigns, etc.
About the Youth Leadership Training
Shanghai Roots & Shoots’ Youth Leadership Training is a capacity-building training program for group leaders and members who are committed to green actions on campus. This program was started in 2011. It aims to inspire enthusiasim in young people for sustainable development through various workshops or trainings, improve their organizational management, communication and innovation capabilities, and encourage young people to carry out green actions. So far, the Youth Leadership Training has supported more than 30 schools and trained over 700 students.
