Elif Bilgin

A Turkish teen scientist who pioneered eco-friendly bioplastic from banana peels

Elif Bilgin, born in 1997 in Istanbul, Turkey, is a remarkable example of how youthful curiosity and determination can make a difference in addressing global environmental challenges. At just 16 years old, she developed a groundbreaking method to create bioplastic from banana peels, a project that earned her the Google Science Fair 2013 Community Impact Award.

Bilgin's innovation tackles two critical issues: plastic pollution and food waste. Traditional plastics take centuries to decompose, while her banana-based bioplastic degrades within months. Her research began with a simple question: "Why don't we use organic waste for something useful?" After two years of experiments and 10 failed attempts, she successfully created a durable material using starch from banana peels.

What makes Bilgin exceptional is her commitment to sustainable solutions for developing countries. She specifically designed her process to use equipment accessible in low-income communities, writing in her journal: "If implemented widely, this could reduce petroleum-based plastic production and help farmers monetize agricultural waste."

Beyond her scientific achievement, Bilgin became a TEDx speaker at 17, inspiring thousands of young girls in STEM fields. Today, she studies medicine while continuing environmental advocacy, proving that age and geography are no barriers to impactful innovation.