Arya Satheesh, an 18-year-old student from Ireland, recently won the European category of the 2026 Earth Prize for her development of a new material called Eco Purge. This plant-based plastic is designed to break down within two weeks of disposal. As it degrades, it releases specific enzymes intended to neutralize existing microplastics in the surrounding soil and water.
Satheesh began this project after realizing that global recycling rates remain low, with only 9 percent of plastic produced annually being processed. Rather than focusing on recycling behavior, she aimed to create a material that actively cleans the environment. Her research process included sourcing rare enzymes through outreach to biotechnology companies and securing laboratory access with the help of academic mentors at BiOrbic and Atlantic Technological University.
Testing conducted over a six-week period showed that both the prototype and nearby microplastic contaminants degraded successfully. While experts like Charles Rolsky from the Shaw Institute acknowledge the scientific creativity of the design, they note that the application of such enzymes faces technical hurdles. Specifically, environmental factors such as temperature and the dilution of enzymes in open ecosystems like oceans present challenges for industrial scaling.
Despite these barriers, Satheesh intends to use her $12,500 prize money to refine the prototype. She plans to target the packaging and garbage bag manufacturing industries over the next five years. Her ultimate goal involves establishing a dedicated production company to bring this technology to market, moving beyond the current proof-of-concept phase.