In a world overwhelmed by plastic waste, even the simplest object, like a pen, can become part of the problem. With billions of plastic pens discarded each year, their impact on landfills and the environment is larger than we think. But in the green hills of Idukki, Kerala, a college student decided to challenge this reality, not with speeches, but with a biodegradable pen named PenCanvas. Meet Amala Jose, a business management graduate from St. Joseph's College, Moolamattom, whose idea is now being recognized as a symbol of sustainability and innovation.

A Spark of Inspiration from Science

The idea of PenCanvas was not born in a laboratory but in a seminar hall in Kochi. During her second year of college, Amala attended a session at the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET), where the topic of bioplastics and biopolymers was introduced. That single moment planted the seed of change. “Until then, I never really thought about how small everyday things, like pens, could be harmful if made with non-recyclable plastic,” says Amala. “That seminar changed the way I looked at objects around me.” With the help of her mentors—Dr. Sharon Lee Jose from the Management Department and Dr. Robin John from the Physics Department—Amala began a journey of discovery into sustainable alternatives to plastic.

A College That Cultivates Innovation

While many students struggle to take their ideas beyond the classroom, Amala found strong support at her college. St. Joseph's College, known primarily for arts and science, has repositioned itself as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Through its incubation center, Novation Nexus, Amala’s idea started taking shape as a real product. She also actively participated in hackathons, seminars, and industry visits organized through the Kerala Startup Mission’s RINK (Research Innovation Network Kerala) platform, which exposed her to cutting-edge practices in product development. With support from national schemes like PM USHA (Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan), the college is building an ecosystem where student ideas can grow into real ventures.”

Building PenCanvas: More Than Just a Prototype

Amala has already designed a working prototype of PenCanvas using 3D printing technology. But what makes the pen special isn’t just its design—it’s the biodegradable material she developed through months of experimentation and research. The next step? Producing 500 sample units of the pen and testing their usability in everyday conditions. 

Amala’s innovation has not gone unnoticed. Her project attracted the attention of Kerala’s Industries and Law Minister, P. Rajeev, who personally assured her of full government support. The Kerala Startup Mission also recognized her potential and awarded a ₹2 lakh grant to help bring PenCanvas to the market. Every year, millions of plastic pens end up in landfills or the ocean. They don’t break down, and they release toxins over time. One biodegradable pen might not save the planet, but it begins a shift. And that’s what Amala wants: not just a product, but a mindset change.

The Bigger Picture: A Greener India

Amala’s journey with PenCanvas is a reflection of a growing trend in India of students and young entrepreneurs building real-world solutions for global challenges. Supported by institutions, state missions, and national funding schemes, India is slowly shifting from being a consumer to a creator of green innovations. Her work also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration—business ideas guided by science, supported by government, and nurtured by academic institutions. As Amala prepares for her first big production run, she holds not just a prototype, but a promise that change is possible, even if it starts with something as small as a pen.