Three Indian teenagers have gained international recognition after developing an innovative and sustainable method to remove microplastics from water using discarded tamarind seeds.
Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Agarwal and Avyana Mehta recently won the Asia regional title at The Earth Prize for their invention, called Plas-Stick. The breakthrough solution offers a low-cost and environmentally friendly approach to tackling one of the world’s growing pollution challenges.
Plas-Stick is a biodegradable powder made from tamarind seeds, an agricultural by-product that is often discarded after consumption. When added to water, the powder binds with microplastic particles, causing them to cluster together. These clusters can then be removed more easily using magnetic separation techniques.
Microplastic pollution has become a major global concern, with tiny plastic particles being found in rivers, oceans, drinking water, food supplies and even the human body. While researchers continue to investigate the long-term health effects, the environmental damage caused by microplastics is already widely recognised.
What sets the students’ invention apart is its simplicity and affordability. Unlike expensive filtration systems and advanced industrial technologies, Plas-Stick relies on agricultural waste that is readily available in many parts of India, making it a potentially accessible solution for communities with limited resources.
To further develop their idea, the students worked closely with researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati). The collaboration combined academic expertise with youth-driven innovation to address a pressing environmental issue.
The invention has attracted international attention due to its potential application in developing countries, where access to clean water remains a challenge and cost-effective treatment methods are urgently needed.
Although experts note that additional testing is required before the technology can be deployed on a large scale, they believe the project demonstrates how locally sourced materials and innovative thinking can contribute to solving global environmental problems.
The achievement also highlights the growing role of young innovators in climate action, showing that impactful solutions can emerge not only from research institutions but also from students determined to make a difference in their communities.
With funding and mentorship support from The Earth Prize, the team plans to continue refining Plas-Stick and explore its use in larger water treatment systems, offering new hope in the fight against plastic pollution.