Ramsha Waseem in Smithsonian:
Arya Satheesh, an 18-year-old student from Letterkenny in County Donegal, Ireland, has spent the past couple of years studying microplastics. The spread of these plastic fragments measuring less than five millimeters (1/5 inch) in size is a growing concern worldwide, as they infiltrate the environment as well as humans and animals.
The young scientist researched plastic pollution and the challenges of detecting microplastics in drinking water. She recalls finding a disturbing statistic: Only 9 percent of the 507 million tons of plastic produced every year gets recycled. “I wanted to find a solution,” Satheesh says. “I thought there’s no point in saying, ‘Oh, recycle, recycle.’” While some individuals willingly limit their plastic use and recycle, research into behavioral patterns shows that others don’t make the effort or simply do not care. Moreover, the fact that plastic is cheaper than most other materials available in the market makes it an easier choice for the larger population.
To address the problem, Satheesh invented Eco Purge, a plant-based, biodegradable plastic. Once disposed of, the plastic takes up to two weeks to degrade and release enzymes into the environment that break down existing microplastics in the surrounding soil and water.
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