Plastic's Legacy: From Single Use to Sustainable Solutions
Plastic: it appears to be everywhere and in everything, from simple food containers and our clothing to the sea and our bloodstream. How did we get here? And is there a way to reduce and truly clean up the ever-growing mountain of plastic?
In this Studium Generale activity, two of Leiden University's researchers, Jo-Anne Verschoor and Katarzyna Cwiertka, will present their research on these two questions. After the lectures, ask all your questions during the Q&A!
Jo-Anne Verschoor MSc will give insight in her PhD research into microorganisms that appear capable of partially degrading some plastics. Can such microorganisms provide a feasible solution to our current plastic pollution problem, and if so, how?
Prof.dr. Katarzyna Cwiertka will explore the history and future of single-use plastics. Since the 1950s, plastic has been celebrated for its disposability—no more washing up after a barbecue. However, since "disposable" doesn't equate to easily recyclable or permanently eliminated, we have to implement new regulations to curb its accumulation.
Cwiertka will discuss the new sustainability requirements that are currently discussed in the European Parliament and European Council, which include packaging minimization, reusable and refillable packaging, and the ban on single-use packaging. She will then delve into the complexities of disentangling single-use plastics from everyday life, a challenge as intricate as their early 20th-century integration.
Unfortunately, this event has already taken place. A new date for the next edition is not yet communicated to us.
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