A circular plastics economy - Current discussions, trends and political challenges
The article reflects on the 59th Tutzing Symposion entitled "Polymers for a better life and circular economy" that took place as an online event in October 2021.
Consumption
Factsheet 1: Plastic Packaging - What are the possibilities for reducing waste when buying clothes?
The first factsheet of the research focus is dealing with the question of how consumers can save plastic when buying clothes. It is often difficult to know how much plastic is produced along the textile value chain, before a product arrives in the store.
Quiz: Plastic in the Environment – What do you know?
When I wash a polyester fleece jacket, can microplastics get into the water? How many climate-damaging greenhouse gases are released annually due to the global production of plastics and what is chemical recycling?
Test your knowledge in the field of plastic with this quiz!
Plastic waste prevention at the municipal level
The discussion about plastic waste is anything but new for German municipalities. In fact, as early as the 1980s, numerous German municipalities were experimenting with plastic waste prevention regulations and waste prevention in general. A further impetus for plastic waste prevention was provided in the early 1990s with the discussions on the introduction of a nationwide packaging ordinance.
Discussion Paper: Plastic packaging in the food industry
When buying food, more and more consumers want to avoid plastic packaging. However, it is often difficult to find products without plastic packaging. Often, there is a lack of alternatives or consumers lack knowledge about the most ecological packaging. In addition, many consumers would have to change their shopping behavior completely and, for example, would need to go shopping more frequently, because unpacked fresh goods are not that durable. This is often incompatible with everyday life.
Discussion paper: Plastic packaging in the supply chain for textiles
This discussion paper presents the first findings of the joint research project VerPlaPoS on packaging in the textile industry and its supply chain.
