How can we challenge plastic waste?

The 2019 edition of the European Social Innovation Competition.

The 2019 edition of the European Social Innovation Competition will reward the most innovative approaches to reducing plastic waste and improving re-use and recycling of plastic at a systemic level – but how exactly could this be done?

We believe there are a number of key areas with great potential for innovation:

Reducing the consumption of single use plastic products

Single-use plastic is embedded in our lives, from bottles of water to toothbrushes, and is responsible for large amounts of plastic waste. There are many products which can be made from different and often more natural alternatives.

Reducing the consumption of single use plastic products

Single-use plastic is embedded in our lives, from bottles of water to toothbrushes, and is responsible for large amounts of plastic waste. There are many products which can be made from different and often more natural alternatives.

Recycling, reusing, and upcycling existing plastic waste

Plastics are very useful materials, therefore there is great potential for plastic waste to be utilised and put towards new uses. We need to ensure all plastic is either reusable, recycled or upcycled into something else.

Dealing with accumulated plastic waste in landfills and the environment

Even if we stop the creation of new plastic waste, we already have a huge amount in existence that isn’t going anywhere. We need new ideas and techniques for collecting, extracting and sorting this, so that the plastic waste can be put to better use.

Changing consumer behaviours, as well as retail and wider business practices to reduce levels of plastic waste or increase recycling and re-use

Where alternatives to single use plastic exist, consumers need to be incentivised to choose more sustainable options. Similarly there is great potential for businesses to change the way they operate to encourage consumers to behave in this way.

Implementing alternative business models and optimising supply chains to reduce plastic waste or increase recycling and re-use

Many businesses were designed without factoring in sustainability, which has led to high levels of plastic waste. We need fresh approaches so that business becomes more circular, increasing levels of reuse and recycling and in turn reducing levels of plastic waste produced.

Introducing new materials fit for a circular economy or that offer sustainable alternatives to fossil-based plastics

Finally there is great potential for the creation of entirely new materials that will reduce the need for plastic and in turn the levels of plastic waste.