Asvini Thivakaran, Round Rock

Asvini Thivakaran, a 10th grade student at McNeil High School in Austin, Texas, has been dedicated to environmental advocacy from a young age. As a youth leader, scientist, and passionate advocate for sustainability, she works to inspire people of all ages to engage in simple, yet impactful actions to help preserve the planet.

Asvini’s environmental journey began as a second grader in 2017, when she started a battery recycling program. Collaborating with local libraries, recreation centers, and daycare facilities, she placed six-gallon bins at seven locations across the community. To date, over 65,000 batteries have been safely recycled, keeping harmful materials out of landfills and demonstrating the power of grassroots initiatives.

Asvini’s influence grew as she continued her advocacy. In 2019, she launched “E-Talk,” an educational YouTube channel dedicated to environmental topics. With 22 videos and over 55,000 views, the channel provides accessible content to help people understand and address environmental challenges. Her educational efforts expanded further in 2021 with the publication of her children’s book, “One Earth: The Pollution Solution,” which she is actively distributing to libraries, schools, and online.