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

Quantification of microplastics in wastewater systems of German industrial parks and their wastewater treatment plants

doris.knoblauch@ecologic.eu — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 12:14:12 +0000

Quantification of microplastics in wastewater systems of German industrial parks and their wastewater treatment plants doris.knoblauc… Wed, 04/19/2023 - 14:14

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Beschreibung

Microplastics (MP) enter the aquatic environment via several pathways. Many research groups have focused on municipal discharge, while research on industrial sources is rare. This study provides one of the first insights into MP occurrence and distribution in the wastewater systems of industrial parks (IPs) and their wastewater treatment plants (IPWWTPs). The effluents from production plants as well as influent, effluent, and internal samples from the IPWWTPs were assessed. Sampling methods for parallel MP mass and number analyses were developed for varying conditions. The total item emissions of MP (≥10 μm) into the environment were analyzed using μ-Raman spectroscopy and ranged from 3 · 102 to 8 · 104 MP m−3, with a median of 6 · 103 MP m−3 per IPWWTP. Masses analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry showed an MP mass discharge into the environment of 0.2 to 11 mg m−3 with a median of 3.7 mg m−3 per IPWWTP. MP item concentrations within an IPWWTP varied by two to three log levels over several days. Fibers were rare in all samples. Polymer types varied depending on the types of industrial sites and the production plants discharging into the IPWWTP. Within an IP, MP could be allocated to its dischargers, which could be useful for future regulatory requirements. Further research is needed to include different types of IPs producing various polymers and additional processing plants to expand this data set.

Attachments

This is the download-link for the publication

Joint project

EmiStop

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163349

Magazine

Science of the Total Environment

Year

2023

Author

Luisa Barkann-Metaj

Felix Weber

Hajo Bitter

Sebastian Wolf

Susanne Lackner

Jutta Kerpen

Markus Engelhart

Type of Result

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

Citation

Barkmann-Metaj, L., Weber, F., Bitter, H., Wolff, S., Lackner, S., Kerpen, J., & Engelhart, M. (2023). Quantification of microplastics in wastewater systems of German industrial parks and their wastewater treatment plants. Science of The Total Environment, 881, 163349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163349

Publikationstyp

Publikation

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

Kurzversion der Kernbotschaften des Forschungsschwerpunkts "Plastik in der Umwelt"

doris.knoblauch@ecologic.eu — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 14:38:32 +0000

Short version of the key messages of the BMBF Research Focus "Plastics in the Environment" doris.knoblauc… Tue, 07/19/2022 - 16:38

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Beschreibung

This brochure is the short version of the publication Key Messages of the BMBF Research Focus "Plastics in the Environment". It summarizes the most important key messages from all 20 joint research projects and the seven cross-cutting topics of the research focus. The brochure is structured along the life cycle of plastics and includes five sections: Green Economy, Consumption, Recycling, Fresh-water Ecosystems, and Saltwater Ecosystems.

Attachments

Short version key messages

Year

2022

Type of Result

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

Citation

BMBF Research Focus "Plastics in the Environment" (2022): Key messages of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment. Short version.

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

Kernbotschaften des BMBF-Forschungsschwerpunkts „Plastik in der Umwelt – Quellen · Senken · Lösungsansätze“

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Tue, 03 May 2022 10:46:48 +0000

Key Messages of the BMBF-Research Focus "Plastics in the Environment – Sources· Sinks · Solutions" linda.mederake… Tue, 05/03/2022 - 12:46

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Cover Key messages

Beschreibung

The publication summarizes the key messages from all 20 joint research projects and the seven cross-cutting topics of the research focus. Structured by main topics, the central results are presented in order to derive recommendations for various addressees.

01 Sources and pathways of plastics in the environment
02 Ecotoxicological assessment of microplastics as a complex task
03 Plastics in wastewater: detection, investigation, removal
04 Plastics in soils: inputs, behavior and fate
05 Companies need to take more responsibility
06 Not yet efficient enough: waste management and recycling
07 How municipalities can help to reduce plastic emissions
08 Limited options: What influence do consumers have?
09 Significant progress in microplastics analysis
10 Legal recommendations for reducing plastic emissions

Attachments

Key messages_bmbf_plastics-in-the-environment-2022_EN.pdf

ISBN

978-3-937085-36-4

Year

2022

Type of Result

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

Citation

Hinzmann, Mandy; Knoblauch, Doris; Mederake, Linda; Schritt, Hannes; Stein, Ulf (eds.) (2022): Key messages of the research focus "Plastics in the Environment". Available at: https://bmbf-plastik.de/en/Publikation/Kernbotschaften.

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

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.

First reduce and reuse, then recycle! Enabling consumers to tackle the plastic crisis – Qualitative expert interviews in Germany

felix.nuetz@ecologic.eu — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 09:58:27 +0000

First reduce and reuse, then recycle! Enabling consumers to tackle the plastic crisis – Qualitative expert interviews in Germany felix.nuetz@ec… Fri, 04/01/2022 - 11:58

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Beschreibung

Plastic pollution has become a major global risk. The European Union (EU) obligates all member states to implement measures according to the waste management hierarchy, with the highest priority given to waste prevention and reuse.Currently, several policies tackle the plastic crisis, while effective measures for prevention are hardly introduced. Moreover, approaches are rarely tailored to individual consumers’ needs for reducing plastic waste.

This paper is the first to collect and structure stakeholder knowledge on measures that enable consumers to use plastic more sustainably and, in particular, to prevent the generation of new plastic waste. The present study explores perspectives of 28 selected German stakeholders from the political, economic, civil and scientific sector. Written expert interviews with open questions captured stakeholders’ perceptions of the plastic problem and their approaches to enabling consumers to reduce plastic packaging for food and beverages.

Results showed that the interviewed stakeholders did not point out consumers as the most important agents for change, but considered all societal agents responsible for implementing a wide range of consumer-enabling measures. The analysis revealed six groups of suggested measures, the most predominant ones being (1) the creation of alternatives for consumers and (2) political measures. Further suggested measures were (3) communication and awareness raising, (4) change in consumer behavior, (5) technical innovation and development, and (6) networking with other stakeholders. Based on our empirical results, we derived nine recommendations for action on three levels of the waste management hierarchy: prevention, recycling and disposal.

Further Links

Link to download (Science Direct)

Joint project

ENSURE

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127782

Magazine

Journal of Cleaner Production

Year

2021

Author

Julia Steinhorst

Katharina Beyerl

Type of Result

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

Citation

Steinhorst, J., & Beyerl, K. (2021). First reduce and reuse, then recycle! Enabling consumers to tackle the plastic crisis – Qualitative expert interviews in Germany. Journal of cleaner production, 313: 127782. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127782.

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Publikation

Querschnittsthema

QST 4

Personal and structural factors that influence individual plastic packaging consumption—Results from focus group discussions with German consumers

felix.nuetz@ecologic.eu — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 09:06:48 +0000

Personal and structural factors that influence individual plastic packaging consumption—Results from focus group discussions with German consumers felix.nuetz@ec… Fri, 04/01/2022 - 11:06

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Beschreibung

Plastic waste is perceived as one of the major environmental problems of our times. Nevertheless, rates of consumption of plastic packaging are constantly increasing. Based on focus group discussions with German consumers this study identified personal and structural barriers that hinder a reduced plastic packaging consumption.

Combining their findings with those of previous studies, they conclude that fundamental changes in infrastructures and lifestyles, as well as cultural and economic transformation processes, are needed to make zero-waste shopping the norm and unpackaged goods the most affordable and convenient option.

The questions ‘Who is shopping?’, ‘What are we shopping?’, ‘Where do we go shopping?’, and ‘When/how often do we go shopping?’ help in identifying the levers for a dissemination of the unpacked concept and also reveal factors that have so far only been marginally discussed in the discourse on the plastic problem and have not yet been systematically linked to it.

Further Links

Link to download (Science Direct)

Joint project

ENSURE

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2021.100022

Magazine

Cleaner and responsible consumption

Year

2021

Author

J. Wiefek

J. Steinhorst

K. Beyerl

Type of Result

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

Citation

Wiefek, J., Steinhorst, J., & Beyerl, K. (2021b). Personal and structural factors that influence individual plastic packaging consumption – results from focus group discussions with German consumers. Cleaner and responsible consumption, 3: 100022. DOI:10.1016/j. clrc.2021.100022

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Publikation

Querschnittsthema

QST 4

Strategies to Reduce Food Packaging. Reducing waste from single-use plastic packaging through unpackaged concepts, reusable packaging, and regional supply systems

felix.nuetz@ecologic.eu — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 08:54:07 +0000

Strategies to Reduce Food Packaging. Reducing waste from single-use plastic packaging through unpackaged concepts, reusable packaging, and regional supply systems felix.nuetz@ec… Fri, 04/01/2022 - 10:54

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Beschreibung

The high volume of plastic packaging currently consumed in Germany poses a complex socio-ecological risk. As part of the BMBF-funded ENSURE research consortium, environmental psychologists at the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) in Potsdam have studied various policy options to promote a reduction in individual consumption of plastic food packaging.

A representative nationwide survey of 1,200 persons conducted by the researchers shows that 92 per cent of the interviewed consumers consider plastic waste in the environment a threat to the preservation of our natural resources and the foundations of life. Despite this widespread awareness, the consumption of plastic packaging continues to grow: In 2018, Germany generated over three million tonnes of plastic packaging waste; more than double the amount produced in 1997.

The findings of the ENSURE project indicate that consumers are willing and indeed wish to reduce their consumption of plastic packaging; however, they are hindered by personal and structural barriers. Political action is needed to break down these barriers to change and support consumers in their efforts. This IASS Policy Brief presents three strategic policy recommendations that could help reduce the consumption of packaging in daily life. Following an outline of the broader context and key issues, these three recommendations are explained in detail. In conclusion, the authors highlight the need for a systemic approach to the reduction of plastic packaging.

Attachments

Publication link

Joint project

ENSURE

DOI

http://doi.org/10.48481/iass.2022.006

Magazine

IASS Policy Brief

Year

2022

Author

J. Wiefek

R. Michels-Ehrentraut

A. Stolberg

K. Beyerl

Type of Result

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

Citation

Wiefek, J., Michels-Ehrentraut, R., Stolberg, A., & Beyerl, K. (2022). Strategies to Reduce Food Packaging. Reducing waste from single-use plastic packaging through unpackaged concepts, reusable packaging, and regional supply systems. IASS Policy Brief, 2022(3).

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Publikation

Querschnittsthema

QST 4

Compendium on Plastics in the Environment

KALEH — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:47:21 +0000

Compendium on Plastics in the Environment KALEH Thu, 03/31/2022 - 15:47

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Beschreibung

The topic of “plastics in the environment“ is multifaceted and complex. Scientific work in this field is therefore highly inter- and transdisciplinary and requires the cooperation of experts from many scientific- technical and socio-economic disciplines.

Where different disciplines come together, a certain inconsistency also exists in the way in which things are labelled: Terms and definitions in the technical and regulatory field are very closely linked to specific areas of application. This is why there are sometimes different levels of meaning to a term. The objective of this handbook is to contribute to a common understanding of the numerous relevant terms. It will not always be possible to find one term or one definition for all purposes. In order to limit this problem as much as possible, the authors first identify the area of application of the terms and definitions and base further explanations on that.

This compendium thus aims to sharpen relevant terms and thereby aims to contribute to the better understanding in the heterogenous community on „plastics in the environment“. In addition, the brochure is intended to help ensure that communication with and by non-scientific actors on the topic is based on a terminologically correct foundation, especially in emotionally charged debates. After all, these debates are often highly relevant in shaping our future, and it seems important that the necessary political, social and economic decisions should be taken on the basis of knowledge and factual information.

Download here

Type of Result

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

Citation

J. Bertling*, C. G. Bannick, L. Barkmann, U. Braun, D. Knoblauch, C. Kraas, L. Mederake, F. Nosić, B. Philipp, M. Rabe, I. Sartorius, H. Schritt, U. Stein, K. Wencki, K. Wendt-Potthoff, J. Woidasky (2022): Compendium on Plastics in the Environment, 1st edition 2022. https://doi.org/10.24406/umsicht-n-647637 *Corresponding author

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Publikation

Querschnittsthema

QST 3

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.