Plastic Pollution – Risks, Regulations and Remediation

In this course, students will use inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge and skills to identify and solve plastic contamination cases. Based on (previous) knowledge about sources, transport, effects and hazards, students will be introduced to the risks, regulations and remediation aspects of addressing plastic pollution issues in the biosphere. This will include identifying environmental, social and economic risks of plastic pollution (e.g., based on risk assessments). Existing adaptation and mitigation approaches to plastic pollution and policies (e.g., European Green Deals) to regulate and remediate this pollution across the scales will be introduced. Emphasis will be placed on co-designing pathways towards plastic pollution free future together with stakeholders, and evaluating, using various evaluation frameworks, how policies can support this transition. Students will be offered an opportunity to work with stakeholders including governmental and non-governmental organizations.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

• Quantify and interpret the risk caused by plastic pollution to the environment
• Evaluate strengths and limitations of mitigation and remediation strategies to reduce plastic pollution
• Co-design plastic pollution free pathways in consultation with stakeholders
• Demonstrate collaboration and design thinking skills

Assumed Knowledge:

Students should have prior knowledge of basic mathematics, statistics, chemistry, physics and biology, e.g. obtained via MAT14903, BIP10306 and PCC12303. Students should also have prior knowledge of exposure and hazard assessment in the environment e.g. obtained via SOC21306, ENR21306, WSG36306. We strongly recommend the students to follow the course AEW3AB06.