York student startup nominated for Earthshot Prize after inventing plant-based plastic replacement
Posted on Thursday 5 November 2026
Founded by Prince William in 2020, The Earthshot Prize is the world’s most prestigious environmental award. It searches for groundbreaking solutions to repair the planet by 2030, with five winners receiving £1 million each year to expand their work.
Maisy Whitehead, a 21-year-old student in the School for Business and Society, created the fully biodegradable material through her York-based firm, VegoPak. The breakthrough comes as the world generates roughly 400 million tonnes of plastic waste every year.
Maisy developed the product alongside her business management studies, testing the chemical structure at the University of York Green Chemistry plant.
Unlike conventional plastics made from fossil fuels, VegoPak breaks down naturally without leaving toxic residues. The material matches the strength of traditional plastic and works across high-volume manufacturing, including food packaging, children's toys, protective tech casings and car parts.
Huge moment
Maisy said: “I am absolutely honoured that VegoPak has been nominated for The Earthshot Prize 2027. To be recognised alongside organisations working for meaningful environmental change is a huge moment for us.
"At VegoPak, our mission has always been about creating a greener planet for future generations. Passing our manufacturing and biodegradation tests brings us one step closer to making our vision a reality. We are now focused on scaling production, bringing our technology to market and showing that sustainable alternatives can make a real difference.”
Inspiring
Professor Kiran Trehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise, Partnerships and Engagement at the University of York, said: “Seeing one of our students take an idea from York to the global stage is truly inspiring. Maisy shows what happens when we back entrepreneurial minds with mentoring, space and early support to tackle problems that matter, and few challenges matter more than plastic pollution.
"At York, we focus our research and student talent on creating real public good, for our region and for the world. VegoPak is a brilliant example of that in action, and we are all cheering Maisy and VegoPak as they scale and grow.”
