A group of Indian students Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Agarwal, and Avyana Mehta, has won The Earth Prize 2026 for developing an innovative, low-cost solution to remove microplastics from water.
Their innovation, called Plas-Stick, uses a biodegradable material derived from tamarind seed powder to bind microplastic particles, offering a safe and chemical-free method to purify contaminated water.
Key Highlights
- First Indian Winners: Plas-Stick is the first project from India to win the global title
- Recognised under The Earth Prize 2026, a leading global platform for youth-led environmental innovation
- Addresses the critical issue of microplastic pollution in drinking water
Plas-Stick Innovation
What is Plas-Stick?
- A biodegradable magnetic powder made from discarded tamarind seed waste
- Designed to remove microplastics from contaminated water
Working Mechanism
- Powder is added to contaminated water
- It binds microplastic particles into visible clumps
- Clumps are then removed using a handheld magnet
Key Advantages
- Captures particles that conventional filters often miss
- Does not introduce harmful chemicals
- Low-cost and scalable solution
Environmental Significance
- Provides a nature-based and sustainable solution to microplastic pollution
- Enhances water safety and public health
- Promotes waste-to-resource innovation using agricultural by-products
About The Earth Prize 2026
- Organised by the The Earth Foundation
- Established: 2020 (Geneva, Switzerland)
- Nature: World’s largest environmental sustainability competition for students aged 13–19
- Objective: Recognise and support student-led environmental solutions
- Prize Pool: Total funding of $100,000
Significance
- Highlights India’s growing role in youth-driven climate innovation
- Encourages grassroots scientific solutions for global environmental challenges
- Demonstrates potential of low-cost, scalable technologies in water purification