Current Research Project

The junior research group PlastX explores the societal role of plastics and plastic-related risks for the environment. Plastics are an important material for the global economy and for our everyday life. At the same time, plastics and their usage produce wide array of risks. The team of social and natural scientists focus on these ambivalent relations taking a social-ecological risk perspective. Research foci are: plastic consumption practices, alternatives to conventional plastics like ‘bioplastics’ and multiple aspects of risk management risk such as perceptions and communication, toxicity of microplastics for aquatic organisms and responses to plastic debris in the oceans.   

The team takes an inter- and transdisciplinary research approach to develop integrative solutions in the fields prevention, alternatives and management along with recommendations how plastic can be used more sustainably. 

The junior research group „PlastX – Plastics as a systemic risk for social-ecological supply systems“ is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the programme „Research for sustainable development (FONA)“.

• Duration: April 2019 - March 2021
• Funded by: Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the program “Research for Sustainable Development" (FONA). Here, PlastX is part of the funding measure “SÖF – Social-Ecological Research” in the funding area “Junior research groups in the field of Social-ecological research.”