Teenagers Worldwide Are Tackling the Plastics Crisis

Over 3,000 students at 400 schools across 25 countries have participated in the Unplastify Challenge since its founding 8 years ago, designing and implementing over 1,000 strategies that have avoided an estimated 72 tons of plastic waste through concrete actions: Singapore students won 2026 with a multi-use lunch box campaign; students in Chile created biodegradable plastic glitter alternatives, Costa Rica replaced plastic sponges with natural luffa, and Colombia's students collaborated with grocers to replace plastic wrap with banana leaves.