An 18-year-old innovator in Ireland has created Eco Purge, a plant-based biodegradable plastic designed with a dual purpose: replacing conventional plastic and helping reduce existing microplastics in the environment.
A material with a second mission
Developed by Arya Satheesh, Eco Purge is built to degrade after use and release enzymes that can target PET-based microplastics in soil and water. That approach sets it apart from many alternative plastics, which focus only on substitution rather than cleanup.
Satheesh first explored environmental monitoring through a school STEM project, where she built a smart water sensor to detect contaminants. That experience led her to a bigger question: if microplastics can be identified, can they also be actively reduced? Eco Purge became her answer.
The prototype uses plant-based material combined with an enzyme that is released as the plastic breaks down. In testing, samples were placed in soil, salt water, and fresh water for six weeks. By the end of the trial, the material had biodegraded and the nearby microplastics had also shown signs of breakdown.
Recognition and next steps
The project earned Satheesh the European winner title at The Earth Prize, a global competition for young environmental innovators. The award includes funding that she plans to reinvest in further development.
There are still technical hurdles. The enzyme currently targets PET, so it cannot address every type of microplastic. Scaling production and keeping the enzyme effective in open environments will also require more research. Even so, Satheesh plans to continue refining the material over the next five years, with possible uses in packaging, compost bags, and waste bags.
Eco Purge highlights how youth-led science can turn a classroom idea into a practical sustainability concept, pointing toward future materials that may not only reduce waste but also support cleaner ecosystems.
