University of Portsmouth to host international plastics conference

Today (28 June), the University of Portsmouth has announced it is set to hold an international research conference addressing the global plastics crisis.

The conference, titled ‘Plastics Future 2022’, aims to find solutions to plastic pollution through a combination of disciplines. It is a product of the University’s Revolution Plastics initiative and Global Plastics Policy Centre, two research enterprises focused on creating practical solutions for reducing plastic.

Looking to ‘build an evidence base that will stimulate change’, the conference will invite researchers, activists, and policymakers from around the world to discuss recent innovations in reducing plastic waste. This will include Von Hernandez, Global Coordinator for the Break Free from Plastic movement and leading environmental activist from the Philippines, who is the keynote speaker at the conference.

He is joined by Nelson Munyiri, a Kenyan performance artist and founder of the Mukuru Youth Initiative, which aims to engage young people in creating change within their communities.

Also travelling from Kenya is Professor Judi Wakhungu, who, as Kenya’s Ambassador to the French Republic, Portugal, Serbia, and the Holy See, will give her perspective as the previous Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, having implemented legislation known to be ‘globally unmatched’.

Taking place 1-3 November 2022 in Portsmouth, organisers are now calling for exhibits, workshop proposals, panel discussions, and short talks from stakeholders throughout the plastics and sustainability industries.

Professor Steve Fletcher, Director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre, says: “Our aim is to create a conference unlike any other. Technology doesn’t have all the answers and we want to look at alternative untapped sources to solve the global plastic crisis. By bringing together a spectrum of disciplines under one roof, we hope to provoke creative solutions that will provide decision makers with a rich evidence base on which to build policy.”

He added: “The transdisciplinary nature of the conference will allow a more rounded holistic approach to confronting plastics problems – and include expertise from all subject fields. Ultimately, PlasticsFuture 2022 will bring a new philosophical outlook to tackling plastic pollution.”