Avyana Mehta

What they built

Co-founded Plas-Stick, a biodegradable magnetic powder made from discarded tamarind seeds that removes microplastics from drinking water — a low-cost, electricity-free solution designed for rural communities storing water in shared plastic containers. Also independently founded Plastic2Build (upcycling plastic waste into construction materials), authored a book (The Effort / प्रयास), and hosts Sustainify360, a sustainability-focused platform.

Verified track record

• 2026 Earth Prize Global Winner & Asia Regional Winner (first Indian team in competition history; 21,000+ participants from 169 countries); Times of India feature; CNN (June 16, 2026); Mongabay India (May 25, 2026); PR Newswire Earth Prize Newsroom (May 29, 2026); SustainabilityNext; collaborated with IIT Guwahati professionals. Source (source)