Indian teens win Earth Prize for developing solution to fight microplastics

Indian teenagers Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Agarwal, and Avyana Mehta were named Asia winners of The Earth Prize 2026 for developing 'Plas-Stick', a low-cost biodegradable solution that removes microplastics from water using powdered tamarind seeds. The powder attracts microplastic particles and causes them to form larger clumps. These clumps can then reportedly be removed with a handheld magnet.