NSERC and ECCC Fund 17 Plastics Research Projects

👌 💡 This is an important and timely investment by the Government of Canada. Plastic research has matured beyond asking whether micro/nanoplastics matter; the challenge now is generating convergent, decision-quality evidence to support monitoring, risk assessment, and evidence-based policy. Read our ES&T Viewpoint here: https://lnkd.in/e2rGzSpU

Congratulations to #McGill Professor Nathalie Tufenkji for receiving over $598k in #NSERC & #ECCC funding for her project "𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴-𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 #𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 #𝘕𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴," in partnership with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke👏   This community-led project will focus on measuring #plastics in culturally significant waters, soils, air, wild foods, crops, and medicinal plants, while also assessing how effectively the community’s drinking water and wastewater systems remove micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs). The project aims to develop solutions to reduce the impact of plastic #pollution on #Indigenous communities and environments. McGill University; McGill Faculty of Engineering; Chemical Engineering McGill University; Mohawk Council of Kahnawake

"Plastics harm health by accelerating climate change. In 2019, plastic production generated 2·24 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, 5·3% of all GHGs. Estimated annual global costs of disease and death attributable to these emissions exceed $340 billion." And that does not include all the GHGs or other climate impacts of plastics & petrochemicals, as reported in peer-reviewed work by The Plastics & Climate Project. See new The Lancet paper, "Plastics, plastic chemicals, and microplastics: multiple harms to health," by multiple authors including @Dr. Phil Landrigan, Margaret Spring Sarah Dunlop Roland Geyer John Stegeman. https://lnkd.in/gdDHxs4P

The escalating environmental concerns and stringent regulations necessitate the development of sustainable and cost-effective solutions for treating industrial effluents, particularly those laden with heavy metals, dyes, and other pollutants. This research conducted for exploring the potential of waste bio-based adsorbents as a viable option for wastewater treatment. A comprehensive review of existing literature (presented chronologically) reveals a growing interest in utilizing locally sourced, low-cost adsorbents for pollutant removal. This study aims to identify and optimize sustainable solutions for industrial wastewater treatment, leveraging the inherent potential of bio-based adsorbents. The findings of this research underscore the promise of waste bio-based adsorbents as an eco-friendly and economically viable alternative for mitigating industrial pollution.

Good to see natural polymers entering policy conversations at this level. As founding members of the Natural Polymers Group, it’s really encouraging to see conversations like these reach the policy stage in the UK. Policies like the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax have started shifting the economics around plastic, but they also highlight a deeper gap. One of the biggest barriers today isn’t material performance, but how these materials are defined and recognised. Expanding how natural polymers are classified is key to unlocking their adoption at scale. Nature has already solved for the material. The next step is ensuring our definitions and systems reflect that. #seaweed #sustainable #policy #uk

It's really encouraging to see natural polymers being spoken about in the Lords, and to hear that Baroness Hayman is taking our definitions question back to DEFRA. The definition of Natural Polymers is holding our sector back. The UK Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) only recognises cellulose, which means materials like ours, are taxed as plastic in the one regulation that most directly shapes packaging choices. All we're asking for is a one word change, to bring PPT into line with the EU and UK's REACH definition: "a material consisting of a polymer, other than a *natural* polymer that has not been chemically modified" instead of the current: "a material consisting of a polymer, other than a *cellulose-based* polymer that has not been chemically modified". It's really that simple.

This is a significant step forward for the Natural Polymers Group and the natural polymers industry. Encouraging to see science-led discussions shaping policy conversations around sustainable alternatives to plastics. Clear definitions and supportive regulatory frameworks will be critical to accelerating adoption and scaling real-world impact. Exciting times ahead as cost-effective natural polymer solutions like Zerocircle products prepare to become available in the UK market, helping businesses transition towards more sustainable packaging alternatives. If your organisation is exploring sustainable material solutions, let’s connect and discuss how Zerocircle can support your transition goals. #seaweedbasedpackaging #Zerocircle

Publication Alert! We are excited to share our recent publication, “Effects of activation time and temperature on the performance of uniform-sized biochar for microplastic adsorption from wastewater,” published in the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. This study explores how activation conditions influence biochar performance for microplastic removal. We appreciate the valuable contribution of our authors, Melike Dizbay-Onat, PhD, Nii Ashitey Anuwa-Amarh, Jianqiao Song, Kaushik Venkiteshwaran, Walker Winkler, Shenghua Wu, for their valuable contribution. Access the paper here: https://rdcu.be/fgXOk #Microplastics #Biochar #WastewaterTreatment #EnvironmentalScience #Sustainability

Against plastics? That's understandable given what we're told. But who trusts the media? Have you checked the science to get the facts and proper perspective? You will see plastic is a small part of the larger picture. We need a holistic approach if we want to make a difference. Plastics Research Council nonprofit has the science E. Elhacham et al., Global human-made mass exceeds all living biomass, Nature, Vol 588, p442, December 2020 Shows total cumulative use of plastic this century is ~2Gtonnes. Total cumulative use of all solid materials is ~1 teratonne. Perspective matters. Why? We can't solve a problem by only talking about a tiny fraction of it.

I just wish the wider world would see this sort of information. But then but just SEE it, but think about it, understand it and then act upon their newfound knowledge. I try to educate people one by one, and they do say every little helps. But this education piece shouldn't fall to individuals and small organisations. It should be the main reason for existing for plastic federations worldwide. To educate government and citizens alike. Well in my opinion anyway! What do you think? #education #plastic #science