Virtual Booth

Access to clean drinking water is still a big problem, especially in remote and poor communities. At the same time, agricultural wastes like coconut husks and Indian-almond leaves are often thrown away, causing pollution.  This project offers an innovative way to solve both problems by turning these agricultural wastes into biodegradable Polylactic Acid (“PLA”) filaments, which are used to 3D-print parts for water filters. Clean drinking water will be more accessible to the remote and poor communities, and agricultural wastes will be reduced. The process starts by crushing the coconut husk and Indian-almond leaves to produce usable fibers. These fibers are then turned into PLA through a natural process. The PLA is turned into filament and used to 3D-print slit-shaped filter parts designed to improve water flow and remove contaminants. These parts are put together into a filter unit and tested with dirty water. The water’s clarity, bacteria levels, and pH are examined to see how well the filter works. Early tests showed the filters purify the water and reduce harmful microbes, while being durable and biodegradable. The goal is to create an affordable, easy-to-make filter that can be made locally using agricultural wastes and simple 3D printing. This innovation tackles water safety and waste pollution, while offering a practical, eco-friendly solution that communities can use to improve health and protect the environment.