Eighteen-year-old Irish student Ayra Satheesh has been awarded the European title for the 2026 Earth Prize for her innovative biodegradable plastic project, Eco Purge. This development aims to address the pervasive issue of microplastics. Eco Purge not only breaks down safely but also releases catalysts designed to remove existing microplastics from the environment, including soil, fresh water, and salt water. Satheesh, who has already collaborated with Irish universities and research centers, plans to use her $12,500 prize to scale up her invention for applications like packaging and compost bags. She was inspired by her earlier water quality monitoring projects, where she observed the difficulty in removing microplastics despite their easy detection. A global winner will be announced on May 29th.