Nayeli Chinzou, a student at Arundel School in Harare, developed research on biodegradable plastic using cow-dung fibre and a plasticiser derived from apple waste. Zimbabwe Science Fair lists the project under Materials Science in its 2026 finalists catalogue. The materials were chosen because agricultural waste may offer a lower-cost starting point for alternatives to conventional plastics.

Chinzou represented Zimbabwe at the International Mathematics, Science and Engineering Fair (IMSEF) in İzmir, Türkiye, in 2026. Zimbabwe Science Fair's public recognition and Chinzou's own account report that her work received a gold medal and a best-overall Chemistry category distinction. The award description is attributed to the organisers and the student rather than independently inferred from the experiment.

The research is an early-stage materials investigation, not proof that an industrial-scale or commercially certified replacement plastic already exists. Questions for future reporting include strength and durability testing, biodegradation conditions, production cost, access to laboratory equipment and mentoring from science teachers.

Her story is also a reminder to document other Zimbabwean students, laboratories and science fairs beyond the headline winners. OurPride celebrates publicly documented academic achievements without publishing a minor's private contact details, photographs or personal information.

Explore more documented Zimbabwean Firsts & Breakthroughs ↗ or nominate somebody worth recognising ↗

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