ExeMPLaR Exeter Centre for Multi-Disciplinary Plastics Research
Plastics Research
Peter Hopkinson and Tamara Galloway, University of Exeter Business School.
Key findings
- The hub uses the principles of the circular economy to address the accumulation, impact and costs of plastics in the environment.
- The 18–month programme addresses both the causes of the problems and efforts to solve them.
- This research effort connects technical solutions, human behaviours, social, environmental and economic systems with circular economy principles.
Summary
The ExeMPlar centre has received £1M for its work as a multidisciplinary plastics research hub led by the University of Exeter. The hub will use the principles of the circular economy to address the accumulation, impact and costs of plastics in the environment, whilst maintaining applications for multiple high value purposes. The 18–month programme will address both the causes of the problems and efforts to solve them, rather than just treating the symptoms. This research effort connects technical solutions, human behaviours, social, environmental and economic systems with circular economy principles.
Our transdisciplinary team of 21 researchers has combined to bring the best available evidence base to underpin the design of more effective regional plastics systems.
ExeMPLaR is designed to identify and learn from pioneering and creative approaches to the elimination, substitution or re-use of plastic in the South West regionally and internationally. These case studies provide examples of some of the component parts of a future circular plastics economy and how these might be supported to create larger scale change.
Explore our case studies to find out more about the latest in circular economy plastics innovation – including edible, biodegradable food packaging!