A simple question about polluted drinking water has helped three Indian teenagers win one of the world’s top environmental awards.
Sixteen-year-olds Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Agarwal and Avyana Mehta have become the Asia winners of The Earth Prize 2026 for creating “Plas-Stick,” an innovative solution made from tamarind seed powder.
The young innovators developed a natural microplastic clumping agent that can bind tiny plastic particles together in contaminated water, making them easier to remove.
The idea came to them during visits to rural areas, where they saw people storing drinking water in containers without any modern filtration systems. This inspired them to search for a low-cost and natural method to improve water quality.
Microplastics are now being found everywhere — from deep oceans to the human brain and even placentas. While many people are only discussing the growing problem, these teenagers decided to work on a practical solution.
Their invention has received international recognition for its potential to make safe drinking water more accessible and affordable. To further develop the project, the three-member team has been awarded prize money of 125,000 US dollars through The Earth Prize.
The achievement has brought pride to India and highlighted how young minds can create innovative solutions for global environmental challenges.
