What started as a question about polluted drinking water has now transformed three Indian teenagers into internationally recognized young innovators. Sixteen-year-old Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Aggarwal and Avyana Mehta have been named Asia winners of The Earth Prize 2026 for creating ‘Plas-Stick’, a biodegradable solution that removes microplastics from water using powdered tamarind seeds. Inspired by visits to rural communities where families stored drinking water in shared containers without advanced filtration systems, the trio developed a low-cost method aimed at addressing growing concerns about invisible plastic pollution in drinking water.
Indian teen creates ‘Plas-Stick’ to fight microplastics
Plas-Stick is a biodegradable powder made primarily from tamarind seed waste and the team says it can help collect microplastics in water. According to the students, when mixed with contaminated water, the powder attracts microplastic particles and turns them into large clumps, which can then be removed using a handheld magnet.The idea emerged when students visited rural communities and observed how people stored and shared drinking water in large containers. During one such trip, seeing a child drinking from containers reportedly highlighted the issue of daily exposure to microplastics in areas where advanced filtration systems are unavailable.The team designed this invention as a low-cost and accessible alternative to complex purification systems. Because it uses biodegradable and locally available materials and does not require electricity or advanced infrastructure, the solution could potentially work in rural and low-resource communities.The students have also collaborated with professionals from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and say the project has already reached more than 8,000 students and teachers through awareness and exposure programs.
Why are microplastics causing global concern?
Microplastics are extremely small plastic fragments, typically less than five millimeters in size, that form from the breakdown of larger plastics, synthetic fabrics, industrial waste, and packaging materials.Recent scientific studies have identified microplastics in drinking water, seafood, human blood, lungs, placenta, and even brain tissue. Researchers are still studying long-term health effects, but many scientists view microplastic contamination as a major emerging pollution challenge.Globally, more than 2.2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water infrastructure, increasing reliance on stored water that may contain microplastic contamination.
winning the prithvi award
The Earth Prize is described by organizers as the world’s largest environmental competition and ‘ideas incubator’ for teenagers aged 13 to 19. Founded by The Earth Foundation in Geneva, Switzerland during the 2019 School Strike for Climate movement, the program supports youth-led sustainability projects through mentorship, educational resources, and funding opportunities.Now in its fifth year, The Earth Prize says it has reached more than 21,000 students in 169 countries and territories. Previous winners have reportedly acquired patents, corporate partnerships, and international media coverage.As Asia winners, three Indian students received $12,500 in funding to develop their project along with mentorship opportunities and international exposure. Seven regional winners are being announced globally across different regions including Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America.Some viral social media posts falsely claimed that each student individually received $125,000. Official announcements from The Earth Prize confirm that the team collectively received a regional prize grant of $12,500.Public voting for the global winner is expected to begin via The Earth Prize website, with the final global winner to be announced on May 29.One of the most innovative aspects of the project is the use of tamarind seed waste. Tamarind seeds contain naturally sticky polysaccharides and binding compounds that can help attract and aggregate particles in water.By using agricultural waste instead of synthetic chemicals, students created a biodegradable and low-cost solution, while also demonstrating how locally available materials can contribute to environmental innovation.The team says it now plans to scale the project through decentralized production centers and expand access to rural communities across India.
Can the invention be used commercially?
Plas-Stick is still in the development phase and has not yet undergone large-scale independent scientific validation. The invention will require further testing before large-scale deployment.Experts will need to evaluate filtration effectiveness, long-term safety, scalability, water quality standards, and regulatory approval before it becomes commercially available.Nevertheless, the project has already attracted attention as an example of how young innovators are contributing practical ideas to major environmental challenges.