Teen Wins Prize for Microplastic-Busting Eco Purge

Thought Question: What's a problem in the world you wish you could invent a solution for?

Arya Satheesh has a list of environmental threats she intends to wipe out. Microplastics are at the top of that list.

The 18-year-old from Ireland just won the European division of the 2026 Earth Prize. It's the largest global environmental competition for young people. Her winning entry was called Eco Purge. It's a plant-based plastic that biodegrades quickly after use. It breaks down microplastics as it does so.  

Satheesh’s invention begins with a base of plant-based chemicals that acts like soft plastic. Think of it like grocery bags. She then adds a special enzyme that helps break down microplastics. The enzyme is harmless to wildlife. Eco Purge breaks down in landfills like any other organic trash. The process usually takes over two weeks. As it breaks down, it releases the enzyme. When the enzyme leaches into the trash or soil around it, it helps break apart microplastics.      

Charles Rolsky told Smithsonian magazine that finding eco-friendly substitutes for single-use plastics "is a vital step toward stopping the flow of new microplastic waste." Rolsky is an expert in microplastics at the Shaw Institute. He also noted that Satheesh's project stands out because it's not just about containment. It's also an "active solution," he said. 

Microplastics are tiny plastics the size of a pencil eraser or smaller. They are present in the soil, water, and atmosphere of all seven continents. They can even enter the human body and are linked to a range of health issues. Satheesh says mass production of Eco Purge is a long way off. The enzyme it uses is costly. Still, she hopes to keep making it better. Along the way, she may even start her own company.