Regulation

Without a Debate on Sufficiency, a Circular Plastics Economy will Remain an Illusion

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 11:43:32 +0000

Without a Debate on Sufficiency, a Circular Plastics Economy will Remain an Illusion linda.mederake… Tue, 12/20/2022 - 12:43

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Beschreibung

To tackle the “plastic crisis”, the concept of circular economy has attracted considerable attention over the past years, both by practitioners and scholars alike. Against this background, Linda Mederake, Ecologic Institute, reflects in this opinion paper from a political scientist’s point of view on key issues currently under discussion regarding the implementation of a circular plastics economy. To do so, she covers issues raised at the 2021 edition of the Tutzing Symposion, an annual event organized by DECHEMA, the German Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. These issues include renewable feedstock, life cycle assessments, chemical recycling, appropriate regulatory frameworks, and the allocation of responsibilities to curb plastic pollution. In addition, the paper draws on mainly social scientists’ research to point out limitations of the most common understanding of the circular economy concept which describes the circular economy as a holistic approach that enables eco-economic decoupling and thus prevents ecological collapse while still allowing for economic growth. As a result, Linda Mederake calls for a paradigm shift that challenges this popular, technocratic vision of the circular economy and puts forward sufficiency, i.e., an absolute reduction in production and consumption of plastics, as a prerequisite for the realization of a truly circular plastics economy.

Further Links

Read the Opinion Paper

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-022-00240-3

Magazine

Circular Economy and Sustainability

Year

2022

Author

Linda Mederake

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Citation

Mederake, Linda (2022): Without a Debate on Sufficiency, a Circular Plastics Economy will Remain an Illusion. Circ.Econ.Sust. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-022-00240-3

Tags

Participation

Social perception

Governance

Prevention of plastics

Publikationstyp

Wege zum nachhaltigen Umgang mit Kunststoffen

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Tue, 03 May 2022 10:13:46 +0000

Wege zum nachhaltigen Umgang mit Kunststoffen linda.mederake… Tue, 05/03/2022 - 12:13

Untertitel

Kernbotschaften sozialwissenschaftlicher Forschung

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Beschreibung

The volume of plastics entering the environment is growing worldwide. Since existing regulations are not sufficient to curb the problem, the ever-increasing plastic production and use must be reduced. A systemic approach is needed that holds all actors responsible who produce, use, recycle, dispose and trade in plastic products and packaging. Policymakers must drive the necessary paradigm shift and facilitate a sufficiency debate across society.

This article summarizes the results of the social science research conducted as part of the research focus in 11 key messages. The results were developed in the course of the following joint research projects (or their social science sub-projects): ENSURE, Innoredux, InRePlast, PlastikBudget, PlastikNet, PLASTRAT, PLAWES, REPLAWA, SubµTrack and VerPlaPoS.

Further Links

Article download (in German)

DOI

https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.31.1.12

Magazine

GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society

Year

2022

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Citation

Beyerl, Katharina; Bogner, Franz; Daskalakis, Maria; Decker, Thomas; Hentschel, Anja; Hinzmann, Mandy; Loges, Bastian; Knoblauch, Doris; Mederake, Linda; Müller,, Ruth; Rubik, Frieder; Schweiger, Stefan; Stieß, Immanuel (2022): Wege zum nachhaltigen Umgang mit Kunststoffen. Kernbotschaften sozialwissenschaftlicher Forschung. GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 31(1), 51-53.

Tags

Awareness raising

Social perception

Governance

minimization strategies

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

Eine Kreislaufwirtschaft für Kunststoffe – Aktuelle Diskussionen, Trends und politische Herausforderungen

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 12:59:35 +0000

A circular plastics economy - Current discussions, trends and political challenges linda.mederake… Wed, 02/23/2022 - 13:59

Untertitel

A reflection of the Tutzing Symposion 2021 „Polymers for a better life and circular economy“

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Beschreibung

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. Based on the presentations at the symposium, the contribution provides an overview of current debates on the circular plastics economy, as well as insights into existing political regulations, present challenges, and possible future developments with regard to this major societal project.

Among other topics, the article addresses the comparability of life cycle assessments, (chemical) recycling, and challenges in developing new business models. It also addresses the material and political limits of the circular economy and criticizes attempts to locate the responsibility for solving the plastic problem mainly in the individual behavior of citizens. Looking at existing regulations and policy initiatives at national, European and international levels, the article states the lack of a holistic, overarching approach. The article concludes with an appeal for more exchange and discussions between industry, politics and authorities as well as civil society in the political decision-making process.

Further Links

Article (restricted access)

DOI

https://doi.org/10.37307/j.1863-9763.2022.02.05

Magazine

Müll und Abfall

Year

2022

Author

Linda Mederake

Publisher

Erich Schmidt Verlag (ESV), Germany

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Citation

Mederake, Linda (2022): Eine Kreislaufwirtschaft für Kunststoffe – Aktuelle Diskussionen, Trends und politische Herausforderungen. Eine Reflexion des Tutzing Symposions 2021 „Polymers for a better life and circular economy“. In: Müll und Abfall, 54 (2), 77-83.

Tags

Life Cycle Assessment

Environmental accounting

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Recycling

Regulation

Resource conservation

Publikationstyp

Hintergrundpapier: Plastikpolitik in Deutschland und der EU

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 08:23:28 +0000

Background Paper: Plastics Policy in Germany and the EU linda.mederake… Thu, 04/23/2020 - 10:23

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Beschreibung

Plastic pollution – especially the dramatic littering of the oceans – and the public concern about it, has powerfully brought the issue on the European and German political agenda. Since then, there have been a whole series of new initiatives to regulate plastics - especially at EU level.

This background paper provides an overview of existing and new laws and initiatives regarding plastics in Germany and the EU. Despite the multitude of approaches, guidelines and laws, regulatory gaps remain. The greatest need for action exists in the areas of strengthening recycling and use of recycled plastics as well as waste prevention. Waste prevention remains the unwanted child in the resource discourse, although it almost always represents the best option in terms of environmental policy.

The authors Linda Mederake, Mandy Hinzmann and Susanne Langsdorf accordingly urge for a stronger systems thinking. An interdepartmental, coordinated plastics strategy in Germany could combine the relevant activities of the plastics policy, work out an overarching plan taking into account the waste hierarchy and contribute to its implementation. In addition, clearly formulated and measurable goals should be defined and a process-accompanying success control should be established.

The publication can be downloaded here as PDF in German.

Attachments

Background Paper: Plastics Policy in Germany and the EU (PDF, German)

Year

2020

Author

Linda Mederake

Mandy Hinzmann

Susanne Langsdorf

Authors

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Citation

Mederake, Linda; Hinzmann, Mandy; Langsdorf, Susanne (2020): Hintergrundpapier: Plastikpolitik in Deutschland und der EU. Ecologic Institut: Berlin.

Tags

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

Vermeidung von Kunststoffeinträgen in die Umwelt durch Verpackungen

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 15:10:35 +0000

Avoiding plastic packaging from entering the environment linda.mederake… Tue, 02/04/2020 - 16:10

Untertitel

A impulse paper on steering options of German municipalities

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Beschreibung

Although the serious consequences of plastic discharges into the environment for marine and terrestrial ecosystems and for human health have become widely known in recent years, the production, consumption and (improper) disposal of plastic packaging continues to increase. Local decision-makers in particular have the influence to set direct impulses to limit and avoid the accumulation of plastic packaging waste in municipalities. This policy paper shows municipal policy options for enabling and supporting companies and consumers to reduce and avoid plastic packaging. Core elements in the support of companies are various offers and activities for the establishment of a low-packaging product range and for the expansion of reusable systems. These include advising regionally based companies (individually or collectively), supporting self-regulation, awarding best practice examples, financial incentives and public relations work. In order to support consumers, a distinction is made between large-scale consumers, private households and kindergartens and schools. Large-scale consumers can exert an influence on the use of plastic packaging, particularly in their administration and at public events. Sustainable procurement as well as reusable system imperatives and single-use bans can make a clear difference here. Private consumers can be encouraged to become more aware of plastic packaging and guided to behavior change through improved infrastructure and public relations work. In addition, day-care centres and schools can bear the potential to draw attention to the problem at an early stage, e.g. through participatory activities, teaching sessions and excursions. This paper gives an overview of the current theoretical and practical state of municipal policy options and will be further developed in the course of the "Innoredux" project.

Further Links

Download Impulse Paper (in German)

Joint project

Innoredux

Year

2020

Author

Authors

Frieder Rubik

Pauline Riousset

Type of Result

discussion papers & status papers

Citation

Riousset, Pauline; Rubik, Frieder (2020): Vermeidung von Kunststoffeinträgen in die Umwelt durch Verpackungen: Ein Impulspapier zu Steuerungsmöglichkeiten deutscher Kommunen, Work report of the research project Innoredux. Berlin.

Tags

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

Verpackungsaufkommen und regulative Rahmenbedingungen

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 14:41:38 +0000

Packaging volume and regulatory framework linda.mederake… Tue, 02/04/2020 - 15:41

Untertitel

background paper

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Beschreibung

This background paper was developed within the framework of the Innoredux joint research project and describes which materials shape the volume of packaging and packaging waste in Germany. Moreover, the paper outlines the most important German and European legal regulations relating to packaging in the context of the project. In addition, a glossary has been compiled to explain and define important terms.

The analysis of the packaging volume shows that not only plastic packaging, but also packaging made of paper, cardboard and paperboard has been subject to a continuous increase in consumption over the last 15 years. In terms of volume, this trend is even more pronounced for paper, cardboard and paperboard than for plastic packaging. For this reason, both material groups are in the focus of Innoredux.

Further Links

Download background paper (in German)

Joint project

Innoredux

Year

2020

Author

Andreas Detzel

Type of Result

discussion papers & status papers

Citation

Detzel, A. unter Mitarbeit von Rubik, F., Bick, C., Schmidt, S., Kitzberger, M., Holewik, C. (2020): Verpackungsaufkommen und regulative Rahmenbedingungen, background paper of the joint research project Innoredux.

Tags

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

The Transnational Governance of Plastics

Stephan.Guertler — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 08:52:49 +0000

The Transnational Governance of Plastics Stephan.Guertler Mon, 11/18/2019 - 09:52

Untertitel

Actors, Structures and Processes

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Beschreibung

This paper by the joint research project REPLAWA analyzes actors, structures, and processes of the transnational Governance of Plastics.

The authors work out the complexity of the problems in connection with plastics and its transnational governance, present the actors and contexts of current governance efforts and examine the various processes of current cooperation and conflicts.

The process of governing plastics assembles varied groups of actors, states, business, and civil society, each of them with different, partially contrary interests and moral points of view. At the same time, plastics are embedded in a multitude of contexts and structures: Political, legal, organizational, economic and technological contexts bring forward a wide array of not only environmentally framed questions, ranging from pollution to renewable materials and overconsumption. Therefore, chances for cooperation, but also conflict or contestation multiply.

The paper "The Transnational Governance of Plastics - Actors, Structures and Processes" [pdf, 0.5 MB] is available for download in English.

Attachments

The Transnational Governance of Plastics [pdf, 0.5 MB, English]

Further Links

REPLAWA-Projektseite

Joint project

REPLAWA

Year

2019

Author

Anja Jakobi (Technische Universität Braunschweig)

Bastian Loges (Technische Universität Braunschweig)

Denise Päthe (Technische Universität Braunschweig)

Type of Result

discussion papers & status papers

Citation

Jakobi, Anja, Bastian Loges and Denise Päthe. 2019. The Transnational Governance of Plastics. Actors, Structures and Processes. Braunschweig.

Tags

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

Plastikatlas 2019: Daten und Fakten über eine Welt voller Kunststoff

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 07:17:55 +0000

Plastic Atlas 2019: Facts and figures about the world of synthetic polmers linda.mederake… Tue, 07/09/2019 - 09:17

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Beschreibung

Plastics have become an indispensable part of our everyday lives. Plastic products make a lot of things easier, but they also endanger our health and flood our planet with garbage. The Plastic Atlas offers data and facts about a world full of plastics. In 19 chapters, it sheds light on very different aspects of plastics, each of which is illustrated with infographics.

The plastic waste problem plays a central role in the Plastic Atlas. In order to put a halt to this, however, current efforts are concentrating primarily on waste management and consumers. The atlas makes very clear that the industry should be held more accountable here.

In addition to an analysis of the problem, the Plastic Atlas also points to solutions. For example, the atlas presents the growing global movement Break Free From Plastic and discusses the opportunities of a global plastics convention, which could help to avoid the growing pollution caused by plastics in all phases of the production cycle.

Further Links

Download Plastic Atlas

ISBN

978-3-86928-200-8, 978-3-86928-211-4

Year

2019

Publisher

Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

Break Free From Plastic

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Tags

Prevention of plastics

Publikationstyp

InRePlast

Stephan.Guertler — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 09:03:22 +0000

InRePlast Stephan.Guertler Fri, 03/01/2019 - 10:03

Environmental Policy Instruments to Reduce Plastic Pollution of Inland Waters through Drainage Systems

The project aimed to make a significant, transdisciplinary contribution to applied research on the prevention of plastic discharges into water bodies via drainage systems from a behavioural and environmental economics perspective. In four model municipalities, the project recorded the quantity and type of plastics discharged into the drainage systems via wastewater and precipitation water collection in municipal wastewater treatment plants and precipitation drains within one year. The data obtained was then extrapolated for Germany by means of material flow analysis. With regard to regulatory deficits, instruments to reduce plastic inputs were developed in an interplay of legal and behavioural economics analyses. Selected instruments were tested in field experiments in companies and households. On this basis, the project partners developed policy briefs that inform policymakers, practitioners and associations about ways to measure and reduce plastic inputs into the environment.

Main areas of work

Analysis of legal framework conditions
Empirical investigations of plastic discharges into the drainage systems of four model municipalities
Model-based visualisation of the material flows from the considered input sources, namely households, transport routes and companies of the plastics industry in the model municipalities
Development of behaviour-based measures to motivate behavioural changes
Computer simulations of the effects of behaviour-based measures
Evaluation of the effect of measures by means of field experiments

Arbeitspakete

Work packages

WP 1: Inventory of the entry points of plastics into the drainage systems

Contact person

Dr. Marco Breitbarth, Research Institute for Water and Waste Management at RWTH Aachen (FIW), Kackertstraße 15 – 17, 52056 Aachen, e-mail: breitbarth@fiw.rwth-aachen.de

Project partners

City of Aachen, City of Stolberg, Simmerath Municipality, Roetgen Municipality, University of Kassel, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

Short description

The aim of this work package was to determine the status quo of plastic discharges into the drainage systems in the four selected model municipalities, which represent different settlement structures. For this purpose, the type and quantity of plastic products as well as their sources from households, industry, traffic and other activities related to wastewater collection and drainage of paved areas were determined.

WP 2: Development of a concept for multi-criteria, behavior-oriented set of instruments

Contact persons

Prof. Dr. Anja Hentschel, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, Department of Social Sciences, Professorship for Environmental and Energy Law, Haardtring 100, 64295 Darmstadt, e-mail: anja.hentschel@h-da.de

Dr. Maria Daskalakis, University of Kassel, Department of Economics, Division of Economic Policy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Environmental Policy Working Group, Nora-Platiel-Str. 4, 34109 Kassel, e-mail: daskalakis@wirtschaft.uni-kassel.de

Project partners

Prof. Dr. Frank Beckenbach, FIW

Short description

Starting from a behavioural economics analysis of relevant behavioural effects regarding the use of plastics in households and companies and possible approaches to motivate changes in their use as well as an investigation and deficit analysis of the existing legal framework at national and European level, behavioural measures and instruments were identified. Their effects with regard to ecological, social, technical, legal and economic feasibility were assessed. The result was a preliminary set of instruments, which were used as a basis for all further investigations and were adapted if necessary.

WP 3: Empirical analyses of success factors and barriers

Contact persons

Dr. David Hofmann, University of Kassel, Department of Economics, Division of Economic Policy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Environmental Policy Working Group, Nora-Platiel-Str. 4, 34109 Kassel, e-mail: dhofmann@uni-kassel.de

Project partners

City of Aachen, City of Stolberg, Simmerath Municipality, Roetgen Municipality, Prof. Dr. Frank Beckenbach, FIW, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

Short description

The empirical determination of the success factors and barriers of instruments for the reduction of plastic inputs via the drainage systems was based on the concept of multi-criteria behaviour-oriented instrumentation. The focus of the investigations were the actor groups households and companies. The investigations were preceded by expert discussions. A methodological triangulation was used: semi-structured, guideline-supported in-depth interviews were carried out as well as, in the case of households, a telephone survey and, in the case of households and companies, a field experiment.

WP 4: Material flow models of plastic inputs into canalisation systems and wastewater treatment plants

Contact person

Dr. Marco Breitbarth, Research Institute for Water and Waste Management at RWTH Aachen (FIW), Kackertstraße 15 – 17, 52056 Aachen, e-mail: breitbarth@fiw.rwth-aachen.de

Project partners

University of Kassel, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

Short description

Material flow models for plastic discharges of macro- and microplastics from the identified sources into the drainage systems were developed for the four model communities. Based on the model results, the sources and product types were analysed and evaluated with regard to their relevance for the plastic inputs. The data from the municipalities was then extrapolated to the federal level in a general model.

WP 5: Actor-based computer model and simulations for the development of material flows

Contact persons

Project partners

Prof. Dr. Frank Beckenbach, FIW, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

Short description

In this work package the design and development of multi-agent systems was carried out, which cover the actor groups households and companies. Based on the actor concept of WP 2, the multi-agent systems map actor-related decision-making processes and determinants of plastics use were linked to the material flow models from WP 4 in a subsequent step. Different legal and behavioural instruments and their material-ecological and economic implications were analysed and evaluated on the basis of different scenarios.

WP 6: Finalisation of the concept of multi-criteria, behaviour-oriented set of instruments

Contact person

Project partners

Prof. Dr. Frank Beckenbach, University of Kassel, FIW

Short description

In parallel to work packages 3 to 5, the concept of multi-criteria behaviour-oriented set of instruments were further specified by including the results of empirical studies and the multi-agent system. For the identified instruments and measures, it was estimated how they could work in practice, what control and enforcement effort they might create for authorities, whether they could be combined in certain areas, and what medium- and long-term effects the regulations could have. The adjustments to the concept were tracked and evaluated through computer simulations.

WP 7: Developing proposals for implementation

Contact persons

Dr. Marco Breitbarth, Research Institute for Water and Waste Management at RWTH Aachen (FIW), Kackertstraße 15 – 17, 52056 Aachen, e-mail: breitbarth@fiw.rwth-aachen.de

Project partner

Prof. Dr. Frank Beckenbach

Short description

The project results were prepared for political and practical implementation. For this purpose, recommendations for action were summarised in the form of policy briefs, which are intended to offer support to various actors for the implementation of the developed instrument packages. The project addressed the federal, state and local levels (legislators and authorities), consumer associations and NGOs as well as companies and associations of the plastics industry in order to facilitate the effective implementation of the measures.

Coordinator

Dr. Maria Daskalakis
University of Kassel, Department of Economics, Division of Economic Policy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship,
Environmental Policy Working Group
Nora-Platiel-Str. 4
34109 Kassel
Phone: +49 561 804-3052
e-mail: daskalakis@wirtschaft.uni-kassel.de

Website

www.inreplast.de

Partner Institutions

Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, Professorship for Environmental and Energy Law

Research Institute for Water and Waste Management at RWTH Aachen / FiW

Associated Partners

City of Aachen

City of Stolberg

Simmerath Municipality

Roetgen Municipality

Wasserverband Eifel-Ruhr / WVER

BKV GmbH

German Association for Plastics Packaging and Films / IK

PlasticsEurope Germany

Kunststoff-Zentrum SKZ

German Federal Environmental Agency

DHB – Netzwerk Haushalt

BildungsCent e.V.

Prof. Dr. Frank Beckenbach, Cusanus Hochschule, Bernkastel-Kues

Duration Period

January 2019

December 2021

Tags

Sewage treatment plant

Multi-criteria evaluation

Standardization

Strategy on plastics

Plastic littering

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

minimization strategies

Regulation

Project sheet

Project-sheet-InRePlast-2019.pdf

Koordinator label

Coordinator

3. Vernetzungstreffen „Soziale und politische Dimensionen von Plastik in der Umwelt“

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 09:14:48 +0000

3rd Exchange Meeting „Social and Political Dimensions of Plastics in the Environment“ linda.mederake… Thu, 02/07/2019 - 10:14

Beschreibung

On 8 April, the social scientists of the joint research projects will gather for their third exchange meeting. The meeting will take place between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Ecologic Institute in Berlin.

Location

Berlin

Organiser

Ecologic Institute

Date

08 April 2019