A 16-year-old Zimbabwean student has earned international recognition for developing a biodegradable, eco-friendly plastic made from cow dung fiber and apple waste, taking the Best Overall Award in the Chemistry Category at a major global science competition.
Nayeli Chinzou represented Zimbabwe at the 2026 International Mathematics, Science and Engineering Fair (IMSEF), held in Izmir, Türkiye, where her project on biodegradable plastic alternatives stood out among entries from young scientists competing internationally.
Chinzou’s innovation addresses the persistent issue of plastic pollution by creating a biodegradable material from cow dung fiber, an agricultural byproduct in rural Zimbabwe and apple waste. This alternative aims to reduce environmental impact compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
The project’s use of two low-cost, locally accessible waste materials reflects a broader pattern increasingly visible among young African innovators, building solutions around resources already present in their communities rather than relying on imported raw materials or expensive industrial inputs.
Cow dung, abundant across Zimbabwe’s agricultural regions and apple waste, a byproduct of fruit processing and consumption, both represent forms of biomass that would otherwise go unused or be discarded.
Chinzou’s win places her among a growing cohort of young African scientists and inventors gaining recognition on international stages for locally-rooted, sustainability-focused innovation, work that often emerges not from well-resourced laboratories, but from young minds applying scientific method to materials and problems immediately visible in their own environments.
The International Mathematics, Science and Engineering Fair draws student competitors from around the world across a range of scientific disciplines, providing a platform for young researchers to showcase original projects to international judges and fellow competitors.
Chinzou’s recognition in the Chemistry Category underscores the caliber of scientific rigor behind her project, evaluated alongside entries from other national delegations at the competition.
Her achievement adds to a broader narrative of youth-led innovation emerging from Zimbabwe and across the continent, where young inventors are increasingly using accessible materials and creative problem-solving to address environmental and economic challenges that formal industrial and research infrastructure has yet to fully resolve.
