Plastic's Legacy: From Single Use to Sustainable Solutions

Join us for a fascinating lecture by Jo-Anne Verschoor MSc and Professor Katarzyna Cwiertka from Leiden University, where we explore these questions and more.

Jo-Anne is a PhD candidate in Molecular Microbiology, researching enzymes that can break down plastic. Plastics are everywhere in our society because they are versatile and useful, but their durability makes them difficult to dispose of. As a result, plastic waste piles up in landfills and microplastics end up in our environment - and even in our bodies. Fortunately, some microorganisms seem to be able to break down certain plastics. Could they offer a real solution to our pollution problem?

Katarzyna is a Professor of Modern Japan Studies and an expert in food history, consumer society, plastics, and recycling. Since the 1950s, disposable plastic packaging has become a normal part of daily life, shaping the way we shop and consume. But now, things are starting to change. The EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) aims to reduce packaging, promote reuse, and ban single-use plastics. But how did plastic disposability become such a big part of our lives? And how difficult will it be to move away from it?

Come and find out! The event is free, but please register in advance.