Macroplastics

Tracer-Based-Sorting. Vereinfachte Sortierung von Plastik

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Tue, 03 May 2022 12:21:49 +0000

Tracer-Based-Sorting. Vereinfachte Sortierung von Plastik linda.mederake… Tue, 05/03/2022 - 14:21

Untertitel

Interview with Jochen Mößlein (in German)

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Beschreibung

We all know, that plastics are a huge problem these days. Most people therefore separate their rubbish and throw plastic packaging in the yellow bag or in the yellow bin. But there is more that needs to be done. Because this plastic waste has to be sorted again, which is very difficult due to the immense number of different plastics. That is why lots of plastic waste still ends up in incineration and does not find its way back into the circular economy.

The Tracer-Based Sorting system aims to change that. It classifies the different materials and thus makes sorting easier. The technology was invented by the physicist Jochen Mößlein. He is the founder and managing director of Polysecure GmbH. radioeins conducted an interview with Jochen Mößlein in the run-up to the "Plastic in the Environment" theme day.

Further Links

Interview (in German)

Joint project

MaReK

Year

2022

Type of Result

video & audio

Tags

Waste management

Design for Recycling

Detection

Fluorescence marker-based sorting technology

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

Combined Approaches to Predict Microplastic Emissions Within an Urbanized Estuary (Warnow, Southwestern Baltic Sea)

hannes.schritt@ecologic.eu — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 08:37:47 +0000

Combined Approaches to Predict Microplastic Emissions Within an Urbanized Estuary (Warnow, Southwestern Baltic Sea) hannes.schritt… Wed, 08/11/2021 - 10:37

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Beschreibung

Abstract: Microplastic river emissions are known to be one of the major sources for marine microplastic pollution. Especially urbanized estuaries localized at the land-sea interface and subjected to microplastic emissions from various sources exhibit a high microplastic discharge potential to adjacent coasts. To adapt effective measures against microplastic emissions a more detailed knowledge on the importance of various microplastic sources is necessary. As field data is scarce we combined different approaches to assess microplastic emissions into the Warnow estuary, southwestern Baltic Sea. Resulting microplastic emission estimates are based on in-situ measurements for the catchment emissions, whereas for the remaining microplastic sources within the estuary literature data on microplastic abundances, and various parameters were used (e.g. demographical, hydrological, geographical). The evaluation of the different emission scenarios revealed that the majority of microplastic is likely discharged by the Warnow river catchment (49.4%) and the separated city stormwater system (43.1%) into the estuary, followed by combined sewer discharges (6.1%). Wastewater treatment plant emissions exhibit the lowest percentage (1.4%). Our approach to estimate anti-fouling paint particles emissions from leisure and commercial shipping activities was associated with highest uncertainties. However, our results indicate the importance of this source highlighting the necessity for future research on the topic. Based on our assumptions for microplastic retention within the estuary, we estimate a potential annual emission of 152–291 billion microplastics (majority within the size class 10–100 µm) to the Baltic Sea. Considering all uncertainties of the different applied approaches, we could assess the importance of various microplastic sources which can be used by authorities to prioritize and establish emission reduction measures. Additionally, the study provides parameters for microplastic emission estimates that can be transferred from our model system to other urbanized Baltic estuaries.

Joint project

MicroCatch_Balt

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.616765

Magazine

Front. Environ. Sci.

Year

2021

Type of Result

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

Citation

Piehl S, Hauk R, Robbe E, Richter B, Kachholz F, Schilling J, Lenz R, Fischer D, Fischer F, Labrenz M and Schernewski G (2021) Combined Approaches to Predict Microplastic Emissions Within an Urbanized Estuary (Warnow, Southwestern Baltic Sea). Front. Environ. Sci. 9:616765. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2021.616765

Tags

Sewage

Sewage treatment plant

Laquer

Macroplastics

Publikationstyp

Publikation

Factsheet 2: Wertvoller Alt-Kunststoff - Schwimmende Recyclinganlage verwertet Plastik bevor er ins Meer gelangt

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 09:18:56 +0000

Factsheet 2: Valuable waste plastic - Floating recycling plant recovers plastics before they enter the sea janna.vakili@e… Fri, 03/05/2021 - 10:18

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Beschreibung

In this factsheet, joint project KuWert shows how plastic recycling can be profitable. The research team developed a floating recycling platform, mobile and independent of local structures. The system was tested in coastal cities in West Africa, where a lot of plastic ends up in the sea.

Since high-quality plastic recyclate can only be obtained from clean and pre-sorted old plastic, the team worked with a large number of plastic collectors on land and processors on board. This not only created employment, but also prevented over 60,000 tons of plastic per year from ending up in the oceans. At the same time, value chains were established and a contribution made to climate protection.

The contents of the factsheet are based on research results of the joint project KuWert "Ship-based treatment of plastics for the implementation of value chains". It is available here for PDF download.

Attachments

Factsheet 2 of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment.

Further Links

Verbundprojekt KuWert

Joint project

KuWert

Year

2021

Author

Fridtjof Rohde

Type of Result

factsheets

Citation

Rohde, Fridtjof (2021): Valuable waste plastic: Floating recycling plant recovers plastics before they enter the sea. Fact sheet 2 of the BMBF research focus „Plastics in the Environment“.

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Special Issue "Plastic Contamination: Challenges and Solutions"

hannes.schritt@ecologic.eu — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 09:11:32 +0000

Special Issue "Plastic Contamination: Challenges and Solutions" hannes.schritt… Tue, 01/19/2021 - 10:11

Further Links

For more information click here

Beschreibung

The Special Issue on “Plastic Contamination: Challenges and Solutions” focus on addressing all aspects of plastics

Plastics are popular synthetic materials due to their advantageous properties, such as low density and high durability, which have led to their increased use in multiple applications. Either in larger or smaller sizes, known as microplastics and nanoplastics, plastics are continuously released to the environment, where they accumulate due to their resistance to degradation. For this reason, plastics now contaminate virtually every ecosystem on the planet, being considered a marker for the Anthropocene. The accumulation of plastics in the environment can have negative effects on organisms and ecosystems directly through toxicity, or indirectly through habitat changes. Most of this contamination originates from an unsustainable use and management of plastics, from production to consumption and disposal, which needs to be restructured in the context of a circular economy.

This Special Issue invites novel contributions in the form of critical reviews and research papers to address all aspects of plastics, such as: (i) strategies or technologies to improve the production, use, and waste management of plastics; (ii) analytical methods for the assessment of micro/nanoplastics; (iii) concentrations and characteristics of micro/nanoplastics in the environment; (iv) ecotoxicological or abiotic effects of micro/nanoplastics; (v) the role of micro/nanoplastics as vectors of contaminants and pathogens. This Special Issue also welcomes contributions regarding changes in plastics policies, consumption, incorrect disposal, and waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deadline for manuscript submission is 1 April 2021. You may send your manuscript now or up until the deadline. Submitted papers should not be under consideration for publication elsewhere. We also encourage authors to send a short abstract or tentative title to the Editorial Office in advance (environments@mdpi.com or lucine.lin@mdpi.com).

Date

01 April 2021

Tags

Date sort

Thu, 04/01/2021 - 12:00

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Bildergalerie

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

PIXI-Buch "Heddi und die Plastik-Helden"

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 16:37:26 +0000

PIXI book "Heddi und die Plastik-Helden" janna.vakili@e… Thu, 03/26/2020 - 17:37

Untertitel

A story by Dela Kienle with pictures by Alexander von Knorre

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Beschreibung

Plastic avoidance explained easily.

This PIXI book was created in the context of "Plastics in the Environment". It tells the story of Samia, Johann and their babysitter Tom, who discover a seagull tangled up in a plastic bag on a riverside. After the children have freed the seagull with the help of their babysitter, they explore the reasons for the bird's fate. Tom explains to them how plastics gets from land to sea, how long it remains in nature and how to avoid plastic in everyday life with simple decisions.

An educational story for young plastic heroes and their parents.

– This book is no longer available. –

Year

2020

Type of Result

educational material

Tags

Macroplastics

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Publikation

Plastics in the environment

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 10:08:12 +0000

Plastics in the environment janna.vakili@e… Fri, 03/20/2020 - 11:08

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Beschreibung

Plastics are highly used materials that can be applied in many different ways. They successfully made their way into a lot of different industries and our daily lives, resulting in a steady increase in production and consumption over the last years. Nevertheless, they can become a problem for ecosystems when entering the environment. Plastics are degraded very slowly and can cause severe damage to living organisms and their habitats.

At this point, plastics are found in fresh and saltwater ecosystems like oceans, rivers and lakes as well as in soil. One of the main pathways of how plastics enter the environment is through inadequate waste and wastewater management, but there are many other sources like tyre abrasion, films from agriculture, or plastic particles from cosmetics or cleaning materials. In addition, littering causes more and more plastics to end up in the environment.

This paper from the German Environment Agency (UBA) shows – with regard to Germany - where we stand, what we need to do, what the research needs are, and which measures we can already introduce to tackle the problem.

The paper "Plastics in the environment" [pdf] is available for download. You can also find the publication in German here.

Attachments

"Plastics in the environment" [pdf]

Further Links

Press release of the German Environment Agency

ISSN

2363-832X

Year

2020

Publisher

German Environment Agency (UBA)

Type of Result

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

Tags

Publikationstyp

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

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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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1st Int. Conference on Cellulose Fibres

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 15:15:55 +0000

1st Int. Conference on Cellulose Fibres janna.vakili@e… Fri, 11/08/2019 - 16:15

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Beschreibung

The aim of the 1st Int. Conference on Cellulose Fibres is to gather technology providers and developers, academia and industry, pulp, fibre and equipment suppliers, retailers and textile brands, policy makers and investors to debate recent market dynamics. To this end, the entire value chain from raw material to end product is covered.

Focus of the conference:

What are the recent technology and market trends?
What are the future market dynamics? Who is active and interested in this sector?
What are the main challenges to develop the value chains and the market demand?
Which ecosystems and partnerships are required to drive innovation according to market needs?
How will the political environment continue to develop? What will happen with plastic bans, microplastic avoidance, bio-based vs. fossil feedstocks, and sustainability?

Important dates:

31 October 2019: Date of submission for Abstracts and Posters. Registration via website of the event.

Location

Cologne, Germany

Organiser

Nova Institute

Date

11 - 12 February 2020

11. - 12. Februar 2020

Further Links

Website of the event

Image Gallery

Tags

Reduction of plastic use

Date sort

Tue, 02/11/2020 - 12:00

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MICRO 2020 Fate and Impact of Microplastics: Knowledge, Actions and Solutions

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 14:12:21 +0000

MICRO 2020 Fate and Impact of Microplastics: Knowledge, Actions and Solutions janna.vakili@e… Fri, 11/08/2019 - 15:12

Untertitel

Online-based with several in-person meeting nodes

Beschreibung

MICRO 2020 invites the scientific community and stakeholders to an exchange on "Fate and Effects of Microplastics: Knowledge, Measures and Solutions". The international conference will take place from 23 to 27 November 2020 and is online-based with several in-person meeting nodes. Among the main topics to be addressed will be: