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From Packaging to Microplastics: Unwrapping EU plastics policies

Ecologic Institute

Ecologic Institute

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From Packaging to Microplastics: Unwrapping EU plastics policies

Sixth episode of the podcast "Green Deal – Big Deal?"

Publication
Citation

Ecologic Institute 2022: From packaging to microplastics: unwrapping EU plastics policies. Podcast. 17 October 2022. Online: https://greendealbigdeal.podigee.io/6-plastic

Since we learned how to produce plastic, humans have manufactured more than 8.3 billion tons of it – most of which ended up as waste somewhere on the planet. This leads plastic waste to enter the landscape, rivers, beaches, and eventually ocean. We asked our listeners what, in their opinion, is the issue with plastic pollution. The answers ranged from negative impacts on human health and the environment to lack of recycling infrastructure and the global dimension of the plastics problem.

So how can we possibly address a problem of this size? In the latest "Green Deal – Big Deal?" podcast episode, the host Ewa Iwaszuk and a guest co-host Linda Mederake from Ecologic Institute try to get to the bottom of the problem of plastic pollution, together with their interview guests Frieder Rubik (Institute for Ecological Economic Research) and Jean-Pierre Schweitzer (European Environmental Bureau) who share interesting information and perspectives regarding plastic pollution.

We discuss the European Green Deal policies on plastics, but also business models and strategies that could move us closer towards a low-waste, circular economy. The episode breaks down the difference between bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics, and we learn about some non-obvious ways through which microplastics end up in the environment. The episode also asks what role – if any - consumer choices can play in addressing the problem.

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New episodes will be released every month and can be accessed directly below or streamed on popular podcast platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts or Amazon Music. Check out the website for more information on the podcast and webinar series.

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Listening to our podcast is nice, but not enough for you? You are in luck! In addition to the podcast series, we are organizing a series of eight online events, targeting young Europeans aged 18-35. Enter the dialogue with us and our invited experts. We are keen to hear your questions, suggestions and ideas and discuss them together. Are you on board? Sign up for our mailing list, and we'll keep you up to date with upcoming webinars.

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Language
English
Credits

Concept and Content: Ewa Iwaszuk, Linda Mederake, Karl Lehmann (Ecologic Institute)
Sound: Lena Aebli (Ecologic Institute)
Hosts: Ewa Iwaszuk, Linda Mederake
Interview partners:
Frieder Rubik (Institute for Ecological Economic Research - IÖW) and Jean-Pierre Schweitzer (European Environmental Bureau)

Funding
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Project
Project ID
Keywords
European Green Deal, Green Deal – Big Deal?, plastics, plastic pollution, microplastics, plastic waste, recycling