Circular Plastics Action Plan Conference
Plastic is undeniably one of the most important materials of our century. It finds a large spectrum of applications ranging from things like medicine to transport and communications. Our modern lives are practically unthinkable without plastic. With the right additives, different plastic materials have a wide range of properties, ultimately serving for an uncountable number of purposes.In 2015, Europe alone produced 58 million tons of plastic and we can expect a worldwide doubling of plastics production in the next 20 years.
At our current mode of consumption these large amounts of plastic have strong negative impacts on humans and their environment through i.e. uncontrolled leak of plastic into the environment.The plastic recycling rate is well under 30% in most European countries and it has become undeniable that a new approach to the production and use of plastics is required.
At the “Circular Plastics Action Plan Conference” young and motivated students as well as professionals will have the chance to participate in a two-day conference programme in January 2018 with the goal of publishing a Circular Plastics Action Plan. After gaining a thorough picture of the current plastics market participants will work on an action plan which will include all players in the value chain (consumers, plastic producers, product and packaging designers etc..).
The first stage of the programme will take place on January 22nd and consists of an excursion to the Borealis Innovation Headquarters in Linz where participants will get a good insight into innovative plastic technologies and current market requirements for different plastic materials.After lunch there will be an ARA Innovation Slick Chat with important insights by a specialist on the sustainability issues of plastic. Participants will have the chance to ask questions and gain better understanding on the main challenges with plastic production, use and disposal/recycling.On the way back to Vienna we will be visiting a plastics recycling plant in Wels, where participants will learn about the technologies behind plastics recycling and current challenges they are facing.
The second stage of the programme will take place on January 24th where participants will take part in the Circular Plastics Action Plan Conference. After several rounds of discussion, the goal is to draft a Circular Plastics Action Plan.
If you are interested in becoming a Circular Plastics Conference Participant, please send an E-mail to laura.glasberg@ara.at by January 5th with a short introduction about yourself and why the topic of plastics is important to you.
We are looking forward to getting to know you!