Teen Inventor Creates A New Way To Fight Microplastics
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Microplastics can be found almost everywhere — in oceans, soil, food, and even the air we breathe. Because they are so tiny, removing them is incredibly difficult. Now, 18-year-old Arya Satheesh has come up with a clever way to tackle the problem. She has developed Eco Purge, a plant-based plastic that naturally decomposes while helping break down microplastics already in the environment.
The Ireland resident first became interested in microplastics in 2024, when she created a water-quality sensor for a national science competition. Her device could detect microplastics in the water. However, it could not remove them.
Determined to fix the problem, Arya began developing Eco Purge. But to make the bioplastic, she needed two natural enzymes. Arya contacted several biotechnology companies for samples. Some offered to sell them to her, but they were too expensive for the high school student.
Undeterred, the teen reached out to Professor Kevin O’Connor, a researcher at BiOrbic in Ireland. Sure enough, O’Connor was able to obtain the enzyme samples. He also helped her gain access to a laboratory at a local university, where she could develop Eco Purge.
By early 2026, Arya had her first prototype. To test it, she placed a set amount of microplastic with Eco Purge in soil, salt water, and fresh water. She observed the samples for six weeks. To her delight, at the end of the trial, both the microplastic and Eco Purge had decomposed in each sample.
Her invention earned her the European regional title at The Earth Prize in May 2026. Arya also received $12,500 in prize money and access to experts to help her develop the project further.
Arya still faces numerous challenges before Eco Purge can be widely available. The enzymes only work on certain types of plastic, and high temperatures can damage them. Producing large amounts of enzymes could also be expensive. But Arya is determined to overcome these hurdles and keep improving Eco Purge.
"Science isn't just about understanding the world," she reflects. "It's about leaving it better than we found it."
Resources: Zmescience.com, Smithsonianmag.com, theeuropean.eu
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33 Comments
coconutshavings1 daythis needs plenty of knowledge to make
cinewupowefa2 daysIf I aged 100 years and became the smartest man alive, i wouldn’t even know how to do this!
horrorgamer3 daysi learned that the earth prize exists because of this article
rosereads20144 daysNo way she's only 18- horrorgamer4 daysNo one likes microplastics . YAY TEEN!
- horrorgamer5 daysGo Arya!
- horrorgamer5 daysBOOOO NO ONE LIKES MICROPLASTICS GOOD JOB ARYA
nynuwahigapy8 daysGrrrr I hate micro plastics
sousabeanheist8 daysShe must be really smart. I am going to make this and then get rid of plastic.- tedejybejoku9 daysI am literally doing a project on this
