Availa Johnson
2025 Eco-Hero
HONORABLE MENTION
Availa Johnson
Age 8
Lake Worth, Florida, United States
Transforming Plastic Waste into Fashion & Promoting Creative Reuse
High Resolution Image | Press Release
A true innovator with a flair for fashion and a heart for the planet, Availa Johnson is igniting a "rethink waste" movement through her EcoCreators Design Club. Inspired by the harmful effects of plastic pollution on ocean life and the creative reuse efforts of local organizations, Availa launched this club in September 2024 as a fun and inspiring space for students to turn plastic and other recyclable materials into unique, sustainable designs.
Availa's EcoCreators Design Club, now boasting 30 active members, challenges young minds to see "trash as treasure." A highlight of their efforts is the annual Earth Day fashion show, where students proudly showcase their incredible upcycled creations. Availa's vision and leadership have earned her significant recognition, including presenting her project at a "Shark Tank" competition to leading conservationists like Sylvia Earle and Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, and securing over $15,000 in STEM funding to expand her vision. She also shared her insights at the IMPACT Florida Conference, emphasizing the importance of student voices in conservation.
Dr. Syndie White, STEM Program Planner at Diamond View Elementary and Availa's mentor, describes her as "one of the most inspiring young leaders I've had the honor to teach and mentor." Dr. White emphasizes, "This was all Availa’s idea. She had a dream to help the ocean and believed that even young students could make a difference." Availa has educated over 3,000 students through presentations, videos, and workshops, and inspired 70 students at her school to participate in an ocean and environment video contest. Her tireless efforts have saved thousands of pieces of plastic from potentially polluting the environment.
"One of the biggest things I have learned is that small actions can lead to big changes," she shares. "Seeing my friends, classmates, and even people outside my school get excited about reusing plastic and protecting the environment has shown me that one idea can inspire many others." This experience has also boosted her confidence, demonstrating that young people have the power to create meaningful change. Availa plans to continue exploring STEM, art, and environmental conservation. She envisions a future where she combines science and creativity to develop innovative solutions for sustainability.
https://sites.google.com/palmbeachschools.org/availasplasticfashion/home
