Sebastián Mejía

Colombian engineer developing biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics

Sebastián Mejía's startup Biosurplus is leading Latin America's fight against plastic pollution. Based in Medellín, he developed a patented process using agricultural waste from Colombia's coffee industry to create biodegradable packaging materials. His innovation reduces plastic waste by 90% in pilot programs with Nestlé and Coca-Cola.

After studying environmental engineering at MIT, Mejía returned to Colombia in 2015 to address the Amazon's plastic pollution crisis. His company's case studies show their materials degrade completely within 6 months, compared to plastic's 450-year lifespan. In 2020, he launched the Plastic Free Rivers initiative, training 10,000+ local farmers in sustainable practices. His collaboration with the Colombian government led to a 2022 law requiring 30% biodegradable packaging in major cities.

Mejía's TEDx talk "Plastic's Future" has become required viewing in sustainability courses globally. National Geographic highlighted his work in a 2021 documentary. He recently expanded operations to Brazil and Peru through partnerships with local cooperatives, creating 200 green jobs annually. His next goal is to replace 50% of Latin America's single-use plastics by 2030.