Indian Teenagers Win Earth Prize 2026 for Plas-Stick

Indian teenagers Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Agarwal, and Avyana Mehta were named the first-ever Global Winners of The Earth Prize 2026 on 1 June 2026. The 16-year-old innovators won for Plas-Stick, a biodegradable water filtration invention made from tamarind seed waste.

Plas-Stick and Microplastic Removal

Plas-Stick is a powder that attracts microplastic particles in water and makes them clump together. The clumped particles can then be removed with a handheld magnet. The method is electricity-free and low-cost.

Tamarind Seed Waste as a Raw Material

Tamarind seed waste is an agricultural by-product used in Plas-Stick. The material is relevant in water treatment research because plant-based waste can be processed into adsorbent or binding substances. The project was designed for rural and low-resource communities in India.

Development, Support, and Outreach

The team worked with professionals from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati during project development. As Asia regional winners, the team received a grant of US$12,500 from The Earth Prize 2026. The project has engaged more than 8,000 students and teachers through awareness and demonstration programmes.

Important Facts for Exams

• Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres in size.
• The Earth Prize is an international environmental competition for young innovators.
• Tamarind is a leguminous tree whose seeds are used in food processing and industrial applications.
• Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati is an institute of national importance established in 1994.

Exam-Relevant Context

Plas-Stick is linked to water purification, waste-to-resource innovation, and microplastic control. The team plans to reach 35,000 to 40,000 students and teachers by the end of 2026.