Puerto Rican Seventh-Grader Creates Mulch from Plantain Peels
Wileidy Feliciano-Rivera, a seventh-grader from Puerto Rico, developed EcoMusa, a biodegradable mulch made from discarded plantain peels. This innovation reduces plastic waste and benefits agriculture by cutting weed growth by up to 53%, retaining soil moisture, and lowering soil temperatures. Wileidy's project was recognized as a finalist in the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.
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