A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, student-led organization dedicated to empower STEM

Adhya Garlapati is a student environmental leader and STEM advocate whose work focuses on sustainability, conservation, and community education. Since launching Project EcoCatalyst 360 in 2023, she has brought together a comprehensive, hands-on approach to environmental stewardship that continues to grow each year. The initiative encompasses youth-led sustainability projects, STEM-based experiments, community cleanups, and educational outreach programs, all designed to translate scientific inquiry into measurable environmental impact.

From pill bottle recycling drives and prairie restoration efforts to research on road salt effects and climate awareness campaigns, EcoCatalyst 360 reflects a 360-degree approach to environmental innovation and leadership. The initiative remains ongoing, with expanding projects, partnerships, and community engagement efforts.

This page highlights Adhya’s initiatives, outcomes, and the transformative impact of empowering young minds to take action for a greener, more sustainable future.

As part of Project EcoCatalyst 360, Adhya is leading a pill bottle collection initiative that supports global health and environmental sustainability. Through this effort, she has collected, cleaned, and donated pill bottles to a wide range of organizations, including global health programs, art centers, schools, and animal shelters.

To date, under Project EcoCatalyst 360, Adhya has personally handled over 40,000 pill bottles, preventing plastic waste from entering landfills while promoting reuse and responsible disposal. This initiative reflects compassion, environmental responsibility, and youth leadership, demonstrating how a single individual’s actions can create meaningful, lasting impact on communities and the environment.

As part of Project EcoCatalyst 360, Adhya is actively leading a shoe collection initiative that supports families in need while promoting environmental sustainability. Through this effort, she has collected, sorted, and donated gently used shoes to organizations that redistribute them to underserved communities and support reuse programs.

To date, under Project EcoCatalyst 360, Adhya has helped collect and organize over 1,000 pairs of shoes, keeping wearable footwear out of landfills and extending their life to benefit others. This initiative embodies care for others, commitment to sustainability, and proactive youth leadership, showing how dedicated efforts can produce real, lasting benefits for communities and the environment.

As part of Project EcoCatalyst 360, Adhya is actively leading efforts to educate the community about environmental sustainability and responsible living. Through workshops, awareness campaigns, and community outreach initiatives, she shares practical ways individuals and families can reduce waste, conserve resources, and protect local ecosystems.

Through her outreach, Adhya has engaged community members in hands-on discussions and activities focused on recycling, reuse, conservation, and environmental stewardship. Her efforts demonstrate how youth leadership combined with education can inspire individuals and families to adopt sustainable practices, creating lasting, positive impact on both the community and the environment.

As part of Project EcoCatalyst 360, Adhya is actively leading community education efforts focused on monarch butterfly conservation and the importance of pollination. Through presentations at STEM conferences and local community events, she shares knowledge about the declining monarch population, the critical role of pollinators in ecosystems, and practical actions families can take to help.

As part of her outreach, Adhya distributes milkweed seeds, the host plant essential for monarch survival, encouraging community members to create pollinator-friendly habitats in their own backyards. By combining scientific research, public speaking, and hands-on environmental action, she is raising awareness and inspiring collective responsibility for protecting pollinators and biodiversity.

This initiative showcases youth leadership, environmental responsibility, and dedication to sustainable action, illustrating how education and hands-on engagement can drive real, lasting change in communities and ecosystems.

As part of Project EcoCatalyst 360, Adhya is actively engaged in prairie restoration efforts within her local community, helping protect and revitalize native ecosystems. Through seed collection and processing initiatives, she supports the preservation of native plant species that are essential for biodiversity, soil health, and wildlife habitats.

By collecting and carefully processing native seeds, Adhya contributes to restoring prairies that provide critical support for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. She also raises awareness about the importance of native plants and ecological balance through community engagement and educational outreach.

This effort highlights active stewardship, dedication to preserving nature, and youth-driven leadership, showing how practical action and education can create meaningful, long-term ecological impact.

As part of Project EcoCatalyst 360, Adhya serves as the youngest member of several local environmental action teams, actively engaging in a broad spectrum of community-based sustainability and conservation projects. Her contributions include habitat restoration, waste reduction, recycling initiatives, environmental education, and community outreach efforts.

By collaborating with experienced environmental advocates and community leaders, Adhya gains hands-on experience while bringing fresh perspective and youthful enthusiasm to every project. Her participation demonstrates dedication, responsibility, and a deep commitment to protecting the environment at the local level.

This work demonstrates youth leadership, environmental stewardship, and collaborative initiative, emphasizing that engaged, motivated young individuals can produce significant and lasting benefits for their communities.

As part of Project EcoCatalyst 360, Adhya has collected over 10,000 used books from the community and curated a community free library to promote environmental awareness, STEM learning, and literacy. This initiative encourages residents of all ages to reuse and share educational resources, reducing waste while providing access to knowledge for students and families who may not have easy access to books.

By combining sustainability with education, the community library serves as a hub for learning, curiosity, and environmental stewardship, empowering individuals to take part in practical, community-driven impact.