Awareness raising

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

Titelbild

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

Factsheet 3: Einkauf unverpackter Lebensmittel - Ergebnisse einer Kund*innen-Umfrage

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 13:00:12 +0000

Factsheet 3: Purchasing unpackaged products - Results of a customer survey janna.vakili@e… Thu, 04/08/2021 - 15:00

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Beschreibung

We encounter plastic in many forms and functions in everyday life. Especially in supermarkets, extensive plastic packaging often catches the eye of consumers. However, the desire to shop with less packaging does not always translate into the use of more sustainable products.

In this context, the survey presented in the third factsheet deals with shopping habits when buying unpackaged products. The aim of the survey was to find out to what extent customers accept not using packaging and what potential unpackaged products offer.

The survey was conducted as part of the joint project Innoredux. The project uses a real-lab research approach to develop innovative packaging solutions to avoid or reduce plastic waste along the value chain.

The factsheet is available here for PDF download.

Attachments

Factsheet 4 of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment.

Joint project

Innoredux

Year

2021

Author

Gesa Marken

Frieder Rubik

Authors

Type of Result

factsheets

Citation

Marken, Gesa; Rubik, Frieder (2021): Purchasing unpackaged products: Results of a customer survey. Fact sheet 3 of the BMBF research focus „Plastics in the Environment“.

Tags

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

Factsheet 1: Plastikverpackungen - Welche Einsparmöglichkeiten gibt es beim Kleiderkauf?

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 13:38:16 +0000

Factsheet 1: Plastic Packaging - What are the possibilities for reducing waste when buying clothes? janna.vakili@e… Wed, 02/10/2021 - 14:38

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Beschreibung

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. Due to this lack of visibility, it is usually not possible for consumers to estimate the actual amount of packaging of a garment and to act accordingly. The factsheet picks up on this issue and explains at which points in the supply chain plastic packaging waste is generated. It also discusses the role of industry and consumers in this context and points out avoidance strategies.

The contents of the factsheet are based on research results of the joint project VerPlaPoS. The factsheet is available here for PDF download.

Attachments

Factsheet 1 of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment.

Joint project

VerPlaPoS

Year

2021

Type of Result

factsheets

Citation

Decker, Thomas; Lippl, Maria; Frommeyer, Britta; Koch, Julia; von Gehlen, Kristina; Tornow, Maren; Habermehl, Tabea; Niedermeier, Andreas (2021): Plastic Packaging: What are the possibilities for reducing waste when buying clothes? Fact sheet 1 of the BMBF research focus „Plastics in the Environment“.

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Querschnittsthema

QST 4

Wissenschaft macht Schule: Wanderausstellung zum Thema (Mikro-)Plastik

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 10:49:25 +0000

Science goes to school: Travelling exhibition on the topic of (micro-)plastics linda.mederake… Mon, 02/01/2021 - 11:49

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Beschreibung

As part of the joint project MikroPlaTaS, a travelling exhibition on the topic of microplastics and plastics has been developed especially for use in schools. In addition to presenting basic information on the use, distribution routes and effects of plastics, the exhibition also presents the research team's own project results. The aim of the exhibition is to inform pupils about plastics in the environment. The main focus is on the question of why a large proportion of the tiny particles are deposited in waterlogged areas.

In addition to project days, it can also be used in biology or chemistry lessons (upper secondary level). A handout is also available for teachers with suggestions and explanations for integrating the exhibition into the curriculum. The travelling exhibition can be sent and used throughout Germany.

Attachments

This flyer presents the exhibition in a precise manner.

Further Links

Web page on "environmental education" of the MikroPlaTaS project

Joint project

MikroPlaTas

Year

2020

Type of Result

Tags

Publikationstyp

Plastikvermeidung auf kommunaler Ebene

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 11:22:05 +0000

Plastic waste prevention at the municipal level linda.mederake… Tue, 01/05/2021 - 12:22

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Beschreibung

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. After almost three decades of stagnation - including setbacks with regard to the expansion of return systems and the increase of single-use packaging - the issue of plastic prevention and packaging reduction in municipalities is now receiving renewed attention as a result of increased societal awareness and political regulations at EU level.

This book chapter by Linda Mederake (Ecologic Institute) and Dorothea Seeger (BUND) deals with the possibilities for municipal action to avoid plastics. These options range from information and awareness-raising activities to political decisions, regulatory requirements and public procurement as a driver of packaging reduction. The authors point out that the greatest untapped potential for reducing packaging waste at the municipal level lies in the areas of informal administrative action and public procurement.

The best practice examples presented in this article show that it is possible to do things differently. In addition, private-sector and civil-society initiatives can harness additional potential for plastic prevention.

Further Links

Publisher's page for the anthology "Einfach weglassen".

ISBN

978-3-96238-243-8

Year

2020

Author

Authors

Linda Mederake

Dorothea Seeger

Type of Result

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

Citation

Mederake, Linda; Seeger, Dorothea (2020): Plastikvermeidung auf kommunaler Ebene. In: Kröger, Melanie; Pape, Jens; Wittwer, Alexandra (eds.) (2020): Einfach weglassen? Ein wissenschaftliches Lesebuch zur Reduktion von Plastikverpackungen im Lebensmittelhandel. ISBN: 978-3-96238-243-8. Oekom Verlag, München.

Tags

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Publikationstyp

Einkaufsgewohnheiten und Einflussfaktoren beim Unverpackt-Einkauf

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 09:41:16 +0000

Purchasing habits and factors influencing the purchase of unpackaged goods linda.mederake… Wed, 07/22/2020 - 11:41

Untertitel

survey results of a study in Germany

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Beschreibung

In order to counteract the problem of the constantly growing volume of packaging in Germany (Schüler, 2019), the Federal Government has promoted the strategy of waste avoidance over other strategies such as reuse, recycling and recovery or disposal strategies of packaging waste in the waste hierarchy of the Circular Economy Act. The idea of waste avoidance through packaging elimination is also becoming increasingly popular in the retail trade, and today there is a packaging-free store in every major city in Germany.

With regard to finding out to what extent the packaging elimination as an innovative packaging solution is viable for the future and has the potential to expand, customers were asked about their opinion of shopping for unpackaged products. Customers play a key role in the implementation of new packaging solutions. The focus of the survey was on purchasing habits and transportation, factors that inhibit and encourage unpackaged
shopping and reuse solutions.

The results of the survey include 1) the confirmation of a broad acceptance of unpackaged solutions among customers; 2) the identification of an attitude-behaviour gap among proponents of packaging-free shopping; 3) the identification of inhibiting factors of shopping in the unpackaged store such as distance, price and limited product choice and 4) an assessment of reusable solutions from the customer's perspective, which indicates a high degree of receptiveness towards bringing own containers. In the further course of the project, it will be investigated which further success factors and barriers are associated with the implementation of new packaging solutions and which concrete packaging innovations are suitable for a cross-industry expansion.

Attachments

Download report (pdf, in German)

Joint project

Innoredux

Year

2020

Author

Authors

Gesa Marken

Nele Wagenfeld

Vanessa Dangel

Elina Hettich

Magdalena Kitzberger

Josepha Nestele

Frieder Rubik

Type of Result

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

Citation

Marken, Gesa; Wagenfeld, Nele unter Mitarbeit von Vanessa Dangel, Elina Hettich, Magdalena Kitzberger, Josepha Nestele und Frieder Rubik (2020): Einkaufsgewohnheiten und Einflussfaktoren beim Unverpackt-Einkauf. Ergebnisse einer Umfrage. Report of the joint research project Innoredux.

Tags

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

PhD-WinterSchool „Plastik in der Umwelt“

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 09:57:21 +0000

PhD-WinterSchool „Plastics in the Environment“ linda.mederake… Mon, 02/24/2020 - 10:57

Titelbild

The participants of the WinterSchool during their visit of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing.

Beschreibung

From February 10 to 14, 2020, the five-day PhD-WinterSchool "Plastics in the Environment" of the BMBF research focus "Plastics in the Environment – Sources ● Sinks ● Solutions" took place in Döllnsee, Brandenburg.

The aim of the WinterSchool was to enable the 30 participating PhD candidates to exchange ideas and experiences by presenting and discussing their PhD projects. In addition, the students learned about the latest scientific results and methodological findings of several joint research projects and cross-cutting issues such as microplastics analysis and ecotoxicology. A further focus was placed on strengthening interdisciplinary exchange with the aim of enhancing inter- and transdisciplinary research. To this end, a workshop on science communication was organised, which included modules on inter- and transdisciplinary work.

The WinterSchool included – in addition to the presentations of the participants – workshops, discussion formats, inputs from external experts and an excursion on topics such as consumption and consumer behaviour, circular economy and recycling, as well as inputs and fate of plastics in the environment. In the end, the participants jointly developed policy recommendations that will be published subsequently to the conference.

Location

Hotel Döllnsee-Schorfheide

Organiser

Ecologic Institute

Date

10 - 14 February 2020

10. - 14. Februar 2020

Event type

Research Focus Event

Image Gallery

Presentation by Christian Kobsda, Leibniz Association and Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society

PhD students discuss their work at the Winterschool

Exchange in small groups

Presentation by Ulrike Braun and Venio Quinque, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing

Presentation by Urs Dippon at the experimental field of the Federal Environment Agency in Berlin-Marienfelde

Guided tour by Ralf Schmidt on the experimental field of the Federal Environment Agency in Berlin-Marienfelde

Discussions in subject-related small groups

Visit and discussion at Restlos Glücklich

Quiz at Restlos Glücklich

Work in small groups

Tags

Date sort

Mon, 02/10/2020 - 12:00

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Aus

ICEC 2020: Circulus - Science for a Circular Economy (Online Event)

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:42:34 +0000

ICEC 2020: Circulus - Science for a Circular Economy (Online Event) janna.vakili@e… Fri, 11/15/2019 - 12:42

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Beschreibung

The Circulus conference aims to open the current circular economy debates more towards critical engagement with the socio-political realities that circular economy efforts face and the multi-faceted effects of implementation. The conference seeks to provide policy and practice with the critical insights needed to achieve socio-ecologically sustainable outcomes.

Conference topics:

Power, Politics & Policy Design
Law and Regulatory Governance
Social Justice & Good Labour Practices
Circular Cities & Urban Planning
Concepts & Monitoring Tools
Towards a Circular Bioeconomy
Trade & Global Supply Chains
Business Models, Innovation, Design

Circulus calls for contributions from all disciplines that critically explore prospects, potentials, and limitations of CE initiatives for social justice and environmental sustainability.

Important dates:
15 October 2020: Revised abstract submission deadline (for already accepted abstracts)
15 March- 15 October 2020: Registration period
Registration is free of charge.

Registration is possible via the event's website.

Location

Freiburg, Germany

Organiser

University of Freiburg - Chair of Societal Transition & Circular Economy

Date

30 November - 03 December 2020

30. November - 03. Dezember 2020

Further Links

Website of the event

Image Gallery

Tags

Date sort

Mon, 11/30/2020 - 12:00

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5th Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 11:35:21 +0000

5th Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference janna.vakili@e… Fri, 11/08/2019 - 12:35

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Beschreibung

Now in its 5th edition, this high-level conference will address a range of broad topics highlighting the role of chemistry in contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including in developing countries.

The conference aims to provide a multi-disciplinary forum for participants from academia and industry, from authorities and other institutions to address the sustainability challenges we are facing today.

Registration is possible via the event's website. Early booking deadline: 20 March 2020

Location

Dresden, Germany

Organiser

Elsevier Foundation

Date

08 - 11 November 2020

08. - 11. November 2020

Further Links

Website of the event

Image Gallery

Tags

Awareness raising

Optimization process

Environmental sustainability

Date sort

Sun, 11/08/2020 - 12:00

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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