Avyana Mehta

Avyana Mehta (17), is from India. At 10, Avyana Mehta saw the impact of plastic pollution up close. During a visit to a local gaushala, she learned that seven cows had died after eating plastic. The indifference of the caretaker stayed with her. When she started researching the issue, Avyana discovered that the same pollution threatening animals was also putting children’s health and safety at risk. She began to see environmental protection as a children’s rights issue.

Avyana founded Plastic2Build, an international, youth-led organisation tackling plastic pollution through five core modules. Through Plastic2Policy, she contributed to more than five environmental policy proposals. Plastic2Livelihood taught young people to turn waste into more than 30 useful products, while Plastic2Brick helped repurpose waste into more than 450 EcoBricks for educational environments.

Her message has reached thousands. At the Jaipur Literature Festival, more than 10,700 people engaged directly with her session. Her webinars, sessions and podcasts on youth-led climate action have reached more than 6,000 people worldwide.

Avyana is turning concern into action, one piece of plastic at a time.