How a 17-Year-Old Innovator Is Solving Water Contamination with E-Waste
In a world where environmental and humanitarian crises intersect, one teenager has found a way to combat two pressing issues: water contamination and electronic waste. Zabeer Zarif Akhter, a 17-year-old visionary from Bangladesh, has made waves on the global stage with his innovative water purification system—a project that earned him a coveted spot at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition.
What makes Akhter’s solution remarkable isn’t just its ability to clean contaminated water. It’s the way he does it: by repurposing discarded electronic waste.
A Crisis in Clean Water
Bangladesh, Akhter’s home, faces an alarming water crisis. Nearly half of its drinking wells are contaminated with arsenic, a deadly carcinogen linked to various cancers and skin diseases. Compounding the issue, climate change has intensified the region’s vulnerability to cyclones and monsoons, causing widespread flooding. In August alone, floods displaced over 1.24 million families, leaving behind bacteria-laden water sources and rampant outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery.
For Akhter, the crisis was personal. “The prevalent issue of waterborne diseases in Bangladesh, primarily stemming from bacteria in water sources, necessitates innovative solutions,” he wrote in his 20-page application to the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.
Akhter’s response to this dire problem was nothing short of revolutionary.
The Power of E-Waste in Purifying Water
At the heart of Akhter’s invention is a dual purification system that uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation and plasma sterilization to eliminate harmful pathogens such as E. coli and other waterborne bacteria. What makes this system even more impressive is its sustainability: every component is crafted from discarded electronic waste, including recycled laptop batteries, broken circuit boards, and old TV parts.
“In this project, the components used were all reusable parts from various devices or home appliances,” Akhter explained. “By utilizing electronic waste, this project not only showcases an innovative approach to resource management but also highlights the importance of recycling and reusing materials to reduce environmental pollution.”
E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, with approximately 62 million tons generated annually. Often, these materials leach toxic chemicals into the environment when improperly disposed of. Akhter’s project transforms this waste into a resource, tackling two environmental issues simultaneously.
A Sustainable Solution Powered by the Sun
Akhter’s system isn’t just eco-friendly—it’s also practical. The purifier is powered by solar panels, making it accessible to remote or flood-affected areas without electricity. This feature is critical in regions like Bangladesh, where power outages often compound the challenges of disaster recovery.
“The incorporation of solar panels for charging not only enhances sustainability but also holds the potential to significantly improve water purification in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh and the world, reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases,” Akhter emphasized.
Akhter’s work caught the attention of both local and international experts. Tanvir Ahmed, a civil engineering professor and jury member for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize in Bangladesh, called the invention a “significant stride towards sustainable, environment-friendly, and cost-effective water management practices.”
Although Akhter didn’t take home the top prize at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition, his efforts were celebrated as a triumph of ingenuity and resilience. The Bangladesh Stockholm Junior Water Prize authority praised him, stating, “This young visionary has triumphed with his groundbreaking water innovation, inspiring us all with his commitment to a sustainable future.”
Akhter’s invention goes beyond addressing immediate water contamination issues. It offers a scalable, cost-effective model for other regions facing similar challenges. By repurposing materials readily available as waste, his system reduces the environmental impact of both water purification and electronic waste disposal.
Moreover, the project shines a spotlight on the untapped potential of youth-led innovation in solving global challenges. In a world where climate change, pollution, and resource scarcity are mounting concerns, Akhter’s work serves as a reminder that solutions can often come from unexpected places.
Investing in Young Innovators
Akhter’s story is not just a celebration of individual brilliance but a call to action. Governments, NGOs, and private sectors must invest in young innovators who have the creativity and passion to tackle pressing global issues. Programs like the Stockholm Junior Water Prize provide a platform for youth to showcase their ideas, but they need ongoing support to bring these innovations to scale.
For Bangladesh, Akhter’s invention is a beacon of hope—a testament to what’s possible when determination meets innovation. But his work is also a challenge to all of us: to recognize the potential in discarded materials, overlooked communities, and the next generation of problem-solvers.
As the world grapples with increasingly complex environmental challenges, Akhter’s purifier is a timely reminder that the solutions we need may already be in our hands—or, in this case, in our landfills.