This event will be updated with more information soon.
The briefing paper launch will be held online. To attend this event please register online and you will be sent joining instructions through email.
Plastic pollution has been described as an intractable challenge and as wicked environmental problem. Whilst damage to marine wildlife and attempts to address pollution already in the environment have attracted significant attention, researchers at Imperial College London are investigating new interventions to combat the generation of unrecyclable and irretrievable plastic waste in the first place before it leaks into the environment. Promising approaches include formulations and techniques to make plastic easier to recycle, biodegrade, reuse or repurpose.
The Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering has brought together world-leading experts from the Ocean Plastic Solutions Network at Imperial College London and in particular the Greener Plastic Futures project to illustrate the latest work on mechanics of materials, chemical engineering, chemistry and environmental policy, which can significantly contribute to address the causes of plastic pollution.
The Briefing Paper will show how the integration of leading research within these disciplines can lead to new approaches for a range of applications.
Programme
16.30 – Outline of key findings from co-authors:
Welcome form IMSE Director Professor Nicholas Harrison
- Dr Arturo Castillo
- Dr Manu Mulakkal
- Dr Panagiotis Bexis
17.00 Presentations from policy and industry:
Confirmed Speakers
Ms Tanya Ferry, Head of Environment at Port of London Authority
Mr Patrick Mahon, Strategic Assistant to the CEO, Waste and Resources Action Programme
17.20 – Panel discussion with Q&A. The panel will consist of speakers from academia, policy and industry.
About the speakers
Dr Arturo Castillo is a Research Fellow at Faculty of Natural Sciences, Centre for Environmental Policy Imperial College London.
Dr Manu Mulakkal is a Research associate in the faculty of engineering, department of mechanical engineering at Imperial College London.
Dr Panagiotis Bexis is a Research associate in the faculty of Natural sciences, department of chemistry.
Ms Tanya Ferry is the Head of Environment for the Port of London Authority in the Planning and Environment Department. Tanya works within environmental management with a particular focus on the water environment.
Mr Patrick Mahon is the Strategic Assistant to the Chief Executive at Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). He is responsible for WRAP’s Policy and Government Affairs portfolio, engaging with external policy and political audiences, and providing strategic advice on policy issues to internal colleagues.
About IMSE
The Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering (IMSE) is one of Imperial College London’s Global Institutes, drawing on the strength of its four faculties to address some of the grand challenges facing the world today. The Institute’s activities are focused on tackling problems where molecular innovation plays an important role.
About GPF
The EPRSC-funded project Holistic Integration of Technology, Design and Policy for a Greener Plastic Future (GPF) aims to create a technical, socio-economic and policy roadmap for how the UK can prevent waste plastics from entering the environment. It is based on an integrated, multi-pronged approach to bring about real change in plastic production, consumption and recovery.
If you have any questions about accessibility requirements please email Leah Adamson (IMSE Events Officer) on l.adamson@imperial.ac.uk
Webinars in the Greener Plastics Future and Sustainable Materials Series
- 2 June 14.00 Developing Better Manufacturing Processes Through Molecular Engineering presented by Professor Claire Adjiman
- 16 June 14.00 Making and Breaking Materials with Ionic Liquids presented by Dr Agi Brandt-Talbot
- 23 June 14.00 Optimising Sustainable Chemicals & Fuels Using Process Systems Engineering presented by Dr Gonzalo Guillen Gosalbez
- 7 July 14.00 Fibre-based Electronics for Sustainable E-textiles presented by Dr Felice Torrisi
- 8 July 16.30 Enabling Greener Plastics Future through Molecular Science IMSE Briefing paper Launch
- 14 July 14.00 Imaging Physical Degradation of Bio-Plastics presented by Professor Alexandra Porter
- 21 July 14.00 Upgrading Waste with (Nano)cellulose presented by Dr Koon-Yang Lee
- 28 July 14.00 Plastic Recycling – Current Challenges and Future Outlook presented by Professor Jason Hallett