Anika Mishra

Indian social entrepreneur pioneering plastic waste solutions through microbial biotechnology

Anika Mishra (b. 1992) developed the world's first PlastiX Bio system - a microbial consortium that biodegrades polyethylene within 3 days. Her 2020 discovery of the Microbulbis indicus bacteria in Mumbai's mangroves revolutionized waste management. The MIT Tech Review named her one of 2021's top innovators for scaling the technology to process 10 tons of plastic daily in 25 Indian cities. Mishra's Green Jobs for All initiative has trained 15,000+ workers in circular economy practices. Her collaboration with UNEP produced the first biodegradable packaging for India's $70B snack industry. The 2023 documentary "The Microbe Revolution" chronicled her work, leading to partnerships with Coca-Cola and Nestlé. Mishra's open-source bioreactor designs have been adopted in 47 countries through Global BioDesign, her nonprofit arm.