Plastic fantastic?

Plastic is everywhere we look. While we all find plastic extremely useful, the plastic pollution problem we're facing as a planet is alarming. In this talk David will explore the current use of plastics - where they're from and how they're used. But what does the future of plastics look like? Will the current trend to replace traditional plastics continue, and why is it so urgent? What are the 'green stars' in the plastic family; the challenges to develop them, and their benefits to us and the planet? Come along to find out, and see how you can support a more sustainable future!”

By 2050 it’s expected that there'll be more plastic waste in the ocean than fish. This and many other similarly worrying statistics and headlines show the urgent need for changing how waste is produced, managed and disposed of. However, the ownership of this waste is a major factor affecting these key processes, so Katrien will share her research around some of the key questions linked to this challenge, helping us to understand how changing ownership of waste can make us rethink our approach to waste management

Plastics were hailed as the miracle material of the 20th century, and polymer dispersions - microscopic particles suspended in a liquid, often water - continue to play a part in the fabrication of a large range of products such as paints, coatings, inks and adhesives. However, you may not know they are key ingredients for products such as paper, condoms, gloves, concrete and asphalt. In this talk, Stefan will talk you through the production and several applications of polymer colloids, their benefits, and whether they can play a role in a sustainable future for society and our planet.