Indian Teens Win 2026 Earth Prize for Microplastic Removal Innovation

On October 16, 2026, three 16-year-old students from India—Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Agarwal, and Avyana Mehta—were named global winners of The Earth Prize for their project, Plas-Stick. This marks the first time a team from India has received the honor. Their innovation addresses microplastic pollution by turning discarded tamarind seeds into a biodegradable magnetic powder. When introduced to contaminated water, this powder binds to microplastics, allowing them to be filtered out and removed.

The idea for Plas-Stick began during a visit to a rural community, where the students noticed the difficulties residents faced with water storage and contamination. Watching a child drink from a shared plastic container led them to consider the invisible risks of microplastic exposure. They developed a method where powdered tamarind seeds cause microplastic particles to clump together, making it possible to extract them using a simple handheld magnet. The result is a low-cost, environmentally conscious approach to a widespread problem.

Plas-Stick is notable for its use of agricultural waste, reframing discarded tamarind seeds as a resource rather than trash. Because the process requires no electricity or specialized equipment, it is well-suited for regions that lack advanced water treatment infrastructure. While the concept is promising, further testing will be needed to confirm its effectiveness against different types of microplastics and to ensure the treated water remains safe for consumption.

The global winners were selected through a public vote involving approximately 23,000 participants, who chose from seven regional finalists. Before taking the global title, the team won the Asia regional award, receiving $12,500 to support their work. The students hope the recognition will help them scale their project while encouraging other young people to pursue their own environmental innovations.

The team has moved beyond the prototype stage, conducting workshops and demonstrations for more than 8,000 students and teachers to raise awareness about microplastics. Working under the guidance of Dr. Rajesh Khandelwal, they plan to expand the reach of Plas-Stick through decentralized production hubs. These hubs are intended to make the technology more accessible to rural communities across India as part of a larger effort to improve water quality and manage plastic waste.