New Delhi, Jun 5: Three Indian students -- Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Agarwal and Avyana Mehta -- have won The Earth Prize 2026 for developing an innovative, low-cost solution to remove microplastics from water using tamarind seed powder.

The trio's invention, called 'Plas-Stick', uses a biodegradable material derived from discarded tamarind seeds to bind with microscopic plastic particles in contaminated water, offering a sustainable and affordable alternative to conventional filtration methods.

Tamarind Seeds Turned Into Microplastic Filter
According to information shared on The Earth Prize website, the students developed a special powder made from waste tamarind seeds that acts like a magnet for microplastics present in drinking water.

"Tiny bits of plastic hide in our drinking water, but they're too small to see. We make a special powder from thrown-away tamarind seeds that acts like a magnet for these tiny plastics," the team explained.

"When mixed into a container of water, the plastics stick together into little clumps. We pull them out with a magnet, leaving cleaner water behind."

The students said the collected plastic waste is then converted into useful products such as tiles and coasters, preventing it from re-entering the environment.

"The collected plastic is safely turned into small useful items like tiles or coasters so it can't return to nature. This simple method helps protect people, animals, and our planet from invisible plastic pollution," they added.

Inspiration From Rural India
The idea for Plas-Stick emerged during a visit to a rural community in India, where the students observed drinking water being stored in shared plastic containers.

According to the team, seeing a child drink unfiltered water from one of those containers prompted them to think about the hidden threat posed by microplastics, particularly in underserved communities with limited access to advanced water purification systems.

The experience inspired them to develop a solution that could be affordable, scalable and easily adopted in resource-constrained regions.

Affordable And Scalable Solution
The innovation has drawn attention not only for its effectiveness but also for its practicality. Tamarind is widely available across India, making the technology accessible and cost-effective for communities struggling with water contamination.

The students said winning the global competition was a landmark moment.

"Being named the Global Winners of The Earth Prize is incredibly special for all of us, especially as the first team from India to receive this recognition," the trio said in a statement.

"What started as an idea between students has now been recognised among thousands of projects from around the world, which feels both surreal and deeply motivating. We hope this not only helps us scale Plas-Stick further, but also encourages more young people to believe that their ideas can create meaningful environmental change."

Global Recognition Through Public Voting
According to The Earth Prize, the global winner was selected through a public voting process.

Around 23,000 people from across the world cast their votes to choose their favourite project among the seven regional winners, ultimately selecting the Indian team's innovation as the Global Winner of The Earth Prize 2026.

Spotlight On Youth-Led Environmental Innovation
The Earth Prize, which recognises and supports young people developing climate and environmental solutions, highlighted Plas-Stick as an example of how nature-based innovations can address complex environmental challenges.

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The recognition has brought global attention to youth-led scientific innovation and the growing international focus on developing effective technologies to combat microplastic pollution in water sources.

The award is also being seen as a significant achievement for Indian student innovators, demonstrating how locally available resources can be leveraged to create scalable environmental solutions with global relevance.