Case For Support - Compostable plastics: unlocking existing barriers to systems change

Lead Research Organisation: University College London
Department Name: Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

In 2018 the UK Plastics Pact set a target to make all plastic packaging 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable, and to eliminate all unnecessary single-use packaging by 2025. Including compostable plastics in the target was important for two reasons: firstly, there are some items such as food packaging, wipes, tea bags, coffee pods, sachets, that being highly food contaminated are not to suited to recycling or reuse; secondly, food waste is of major environmental importance and compostable liners play an important role in the route out of the home (government target of all UK households by 2023). \

But there is a fundamental problem. The compostables sector is the "wild west" of plastic packaging not just in the UK but also internationally. The materials are largely unregulated and the claims made of environmental credentials are often oversold to the public. Our citizen science research shows that 84% of UK households taking part reported that they are more likely to choose products that are marked as "biodegradable" or "compostable" but they are confused about how to dispose of them. Due to their popularity with the public and brands, the material is starting to displace recyclable plastics such as PET. Plastics Europe estimate the global market for biodegradable plastics is set to grow to 1.3 million tonnes in by 2023 but it could be much greater if compostable drinks bottle, crisp packets and chocolate wrappers start to be produced. The displacement of reusable or recycling products is not the only problem, contamination of other waste streams is another: compostable plastics are currently incompatible with most food waste processing systems. Thus it is it vital to design a workable and sustainable system for compostable tea bags, wipes, caddy liners, food contaminated to-go packaging, ect. The current problems are as follows:

1. Compostable plastics are currently unregulated; while there are certification standards that can be adopted voluntarily, these do not guarantee environmental protection.
2. There is no dedicated UK-wide collection and processing facilities for compostable plastics, without which their environmental impact is high.
3. There is currently no working technical solution to the automatic separation and sorting of compostable plastics, thus they are a growing contaminant in the plastics recycling and food waste collection systems.
4. There is widespread confusion about what they are and how to dispose of them especially in the case of home compostable plastics.
5. There is a growing risk that the confusion around compostable products (and a mistaken belief that they will biodegrade in any conditions) may lead to increased environmental pollution especially in the case of drinks bottles exported to other countries with no waste collection infrastructure.

We have co-created this research programme through a series of meetings with industry partners who have agreed to be part of the industry consortium Veolia, Paper Round, Deliveroo, Vegware, Nemi Teas, BBIA, REA, Xampla, Recycleye, Mamabamboo, Anerotech, Declan Mee Ltd and Closed Loop Partners. The agreed aim of this project is to unlock the barriers to a sustainable system for the use of compostable plastics in the UK and worldwide.

In this project we will synthesise the results from our environmental analysis of different compostable products with our work on labelling and automatic detection to consider how the disposal and industrial composting of these products could create a sustainable system. Specifically we will ask what UK waste processing system needs to be in place for such products to be sustainable, how such a system might operate, and how it could be economically viable. We place special emphasis on assessing the feasibility of using a UK food waste collection system as the means to harvest compostable plastics from domestic households.

Publications

10 25 50

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Allison AL (2022) Barriers and Enablers to Food Waste Recycling: A Mixed Methods Study amongst UK Citizens. in International journal of environmental research and public health

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Ambrose-Dempster E (2023) Mechanoenzymatic reactions for the hydrolysis of PET. in RSC advances

 
Title Dance - Plastic Drastic Fantastic 
Description Dance aimed at young people about plastic waste at Polka Theatre 
Type Of Art Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) 
Year Produced 2022 
Impact Young people influenced 
URL https://polkatheatre.com/event/plastic-drastic-fantastic/
 
Description • Chemistry/Biochemical Engineering: In lab trials we have identified strains of bacteria from composting sources which produce enzymes that accelerate PLA and PBAT biodegradation at temperatures compatible with Industrial Composting processes. We have demonstrated that the strains successfully degrade the compostable plastics in a Vegware cup. Journal paper in preparation.
• Citizen Science: Our citizen science results from 1648 home composting experiments across the UK show that even certified 'home compostable' packaging (such as TUV OK Compost) does not reliably biodegrade in home composters (60% failure rate). We conclude that home composting is not an effective or environmentally beneficial waste processing method for biodegradable or compostable packaging in the UK. Journal paper accepted and pending publication by Frontiers in Sustainability.
• Materials Science/Mechanical Engineering: We have developed a novel method to automatically identify and characterise compostable plastics (including microplastics <5 mm) using hyperspectral imaging. Paper published in Frontiers in Sustainability, another paper in preparation.
• Behaviour Analysis: Our behavioural studies on food and compostable packaging labelling show that there is widespread citizen confusion surrounding current terminology, leading to incorrect disposal. Journal papers published in Environmental Research and Public Health journal, Frontiers in Sustainability journal, and Sustainability.
• LCA/Design: Completed LCA analysis of PLA tree shelter, PP tree shelter, and tree shelter-free seedling planting with the Woodland Trust. We show that planting saplings without tree any shelters can still achieve carbon capture targets while creating less plastic waste. It is also the most preferable option across all environmental impact categories. Paper published in Science of The Total Environment journal.
• Policy: We have had regular meetings with DEFRA and EA to feed our results into their policy consultations on compostable plastics. Eg. we completed a literature review of the performance and environmental impact of pro-oxidant additive containing (PAC) plastics. Field Trials ongoing.
Exploitation Route Legislation - We have had regular meetings with DEFRA and EA to feed our results into their policy consultations on compostable plastics. Eg. we completed a literature review of the performance and environmental impact of pro-oxidant additive containing (PAC) plastics.

Our Big Compost Experiment study shows that disposing of home compostable packaging via home composting in the UK is not currently a viable waste disposal route for compostable packaging. Businesses like Abel and Cole have changed their packaging choices in response to our study's findings. eg. "At Abel & Cole we've decided to phase out the use of compostable packaging in our supply chain - a process that we've already begun - due in large part to the research conducted by the UCL Plastic Waste Innovation Hub, in particular The Big Compost Experiment.").
Sectors Agriculture

Food and Drink

Chemicals

Environment

Government

Democracy and Justice

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

URL https://www.plasticwastehub.org.uk/
 
Description • Chemistry/Biochemical Engineering: In lab trials we have identified strains of bacteria from composting sources which produce enzymes that accelerate PLA and PBAT biodegradation at temperatures compatible with Industrial Composting processes. We have demonstrated that the strains successfully degrade the compostable plastics in a Vegware cup. Journal paper in preparation. • Citizen Science: Our citizen science results from 1648 home composting experiments across the UK show that even certified 'home compostable' packaging (such as TUV OK Compost) does not reliably biodegrade in home composters (60% failure rate). We conclude that home composting is not an effective or environmentally beneficial waste processing method for biodegradable or compostable packaging in the UK. Journal paper accepted and pending publication by Frontiers in Sustainability. • Materials Science/Mechanical Engineering: We have developed a novel method to automatically identify and characterise compostable plastics (including microplastics <5 mm) using hyperspectral imaging. Paper published in Frontiers in Sustainability, another paper in preparation. • Behaviour Analysis: Our behavioural studies on food and compostable packaging labelling show that there is widespread citizen confusion surrounding current terminology, leading to incorrect disposal. Journal papers published in Environmental Research and Public Health journal, Frontiers in Sustainability journal, and Sustainability. • LCA/Design: Completed LCA analysis of PLA tree shelter, PP tree shelter, and tree shelter-free seedling planting with the Woodland Trust. We show that planting saplings without tree any shelters can still achieve carbon capture targets while creating less plastic waste. It is also the most preferable option across all environmental impact categories. Paper published in Science of The Total Environment journal. • Policy: We have had regular meetings with DEFRA and EA to feed our results into their policy consultations on compostable plastics. Eg. we completed a literature review of the performance and environmental impact of pro-oxidant additive containing (PAC) plastics. Paper in preparation.
First Year Of Impact 2022
Sector Chemicals,Education,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Retail
Impact Types Societal

Policy & public services

 
Description Citation in House of Commons Plastic Waste briefing
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Citation in other policy documents
URL https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8515/CBP-8515.pdf
 
Description Citation in Public Health Wales Horizon Scanning report
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Citation in other policy documents
URL https://phwwhocc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PHW-COVID19-IntHorizonScan_Report_13_6Aug2020.pdf
 
Description Citation in report by the House of Commons EFRA Committee on Plastic Waste
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Citation in other policy documents
URL https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmenvfru/22/report.html
 
Description Consultation response: Defra Consistency in Household and Business Recycling in England
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://consult.defra.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/consistency-in-household-and-business-recycling/
 
Description Consultation response: Defra Extended Producer Responsibility
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://consult.defra.gov.uk/extended-producer-responsibility/extended-producer-responsibility-for-p...
 
Description Inquiry response: House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry on plastic waste
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/38880/html/
 
Description Member of DEFRA technical working group on EPR packaging
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact Feed expertise into the pricing of unrecyclable packaging as part of EPR -
 
Description Oral evidence to House of Commons EFRA Committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/3307/html/
 
Description Submitted evidence to the DEFRA Hazardous Substances Advisory Committee Review of Pro-oxidant Additive Containing Plastic
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
Impact Influenced policy making on PAC plastics.
 
Description inquiry response: House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee inquiry on 'Mobilising action on climate change and environment: behaviour change'
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/41689/html/
 
Description Bug-Busting Spandex: Biodegrading Textile Blends for Molecular Recycling
Amount £303,615 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/X011348/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2023 
End 02/2025
 
Description The Comfort Loop: A systems approach for sustainable absorbent hygiene products
Amount £1,463,528 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/Y003993/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2023 
End 09/2026
 
Description UCL Public Policy: Policy Dialogue award 2022-23 (for a workshop on net zero and circular economy)
Amount £4,000 (GBP)
Organisation University College London 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2023 
End 07/2023
 
Title Big Compost Experiment 
Description Citizen Science Dataset 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Influence on Policy 
URL https://www.bigcompostexperiment.org.uk/
 
Title Website and online survey for the Big Compost Experiment 
Description The Big Compost Experiment is a nationwide research project about the role and effectiveness of compostable and biodegradable packaging. It is one of the research initiatives of UCL's Plastic Waste Innovation Hub, an 18-month interdisciplinary research project (funded by UKRI and EPSRC) aimed at developing new ways of designing out plastic waste. It comprises a short online survey of your opinions on compostable and biodegradable packaging, and how you process food waste. There is also an optional home composting experiment for those who wish to participate further. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2019 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact There is the opportunity to analyse the data collected on the UK's use and composting of biodegradable and compostable plastics, in order to make more informed recommendations for the use of biodegradable and compostable plastics as alternatives to single-use plastics, i.e. policy-making process and future strategies. This data will also help to build our Live Composting Map, a live map of home-composting activities across the UK. 
URL https://www.bigcompostexperiment.org.uk
 
Description Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR), Coventry University 
Organisation Coventry University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Jointly drafted NERC BBP research proposal with Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry (CAWR); internal submission
Collaborator Contribution Jointly drafted NERC BBP research proposal with Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry (CAWR); internal submission
Impact Applied for NERC grant, unsuccessful.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Closed Loop Partners 
Organisation Closed Loop Partners, LLC
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Signed MOU for an innovation and research partnership with Closed Loop Partners (11 October 2019).
Collaborator Contribution Launched Center for the Circular Economy, a collaboration center for public- and private-sector innovators to commercialise products, services, and technologies that are leading the transition to a circular economy. Manages a global innovation challenge, "The Next Gen Cup Consortium", and invites submission from UCL. Also invited UCL to become an innovation partner with our Center for the Circular Economy.
Impact N/A
Start Year 2019
 
Description ENVAR 
Organisation John Heathcoat & Co. Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Industrial Composting
Collaborator Contribution Access to industrial processes
Impact Industrial compostable plastics
Start Year 2021
 
Description Horniman Museum Compostable Plastic Lids collaboration 
Organisation Horniman Museum and Gardens
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaborative project to try and determine protocols for composting PLA coffee cup drinks lids at the museum.
Collaborator Contribution Personnel for meetings
Impact Multidisciplinary- currently ongoing.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Woodland Trust 
Organisation Woodland Trust
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution We conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to understand the environmental impact of using tree shelters; comparing the emissions when using different materials of tree shelters (PP and PLA), as well as without tree shelters as a whole.
Collaborator Contribution WT provided data to better help them understand the environmental impact of tree shelters.
Impact C. Chau, A. Paulillo, N. Lu, M. Miodownik, P. Lettieri (pending peer review) 'The Environmental Performance of Protecting Seedlings with Plastic Tree Shelters to Increase Woodland Cover in the UK.'
Start Year 2019
 
Description "The allure of the 'bio' prefix must be taken with some healthy scrutiny" 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Our work on designing biodegradability quoted
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.dezeen.com/2024/02/15/biomaterials-sioban-imms-opinion/
 
Description Albatross Sustainability Lecture - Manchester University 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Why the Albatross Lectures? Check back soon to find out why we chose the Albatross to champion this lecture.

The Albatross Lecture 2024 Join us on 30th January 2024 to hear a keynote presentation from Professor Mark Miodownik, University College London.

For more than twenty years Prof. Miodownik has championed materials science research that links to the arts and humanities, medicine, and society. This culminated in the establishment of the UCL Institute of Making, where he is a director and runs the research programme. Mark also recently set up the Plastic Waste Innovation Hub to carry our research into solving the environmental catastrophe of plastic waste dealing with topics such as biodegradable plastics and product reuse and repairability.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://events.manchester.ac.uk/event/event:n28f-loipdiqp-5jxzp7/the-albatross-lecture-2024-professo...
 
Description BBC Earth film 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact BBC Earth film aimed at young people in collaboration with Facebook - presented by post-doc Charnett Chau
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://m.facebook.com/bbcearth/posts/5529052523794925/?comment_id=2054118474746706
 
Description BBC Radio interview & Podcast - Inside Science 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interview about sustainability
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001vlf5
 
Description BBC and CBC Radio interviews 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Radio interviews by Mark Miodownik on the BBC and CBC about the Big Compost Experiment
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/nov-12-rocket-debris-falling-to-earth-non-compostable-plastic-animal...
 
Description BBC podcast Infinite Monkey Cage 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0f1wfhc
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0f1wfhc
 
Description Best Thing Since Sliced Bread 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Discussion of the issues of biodegradable poo bags
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001n8nb
 
Description Cheltenham Science Festival 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Two events: How To Green Your Home, Engineering With Nature
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/science-/whats-on/grid
 
Description Cheltenham Science Festival Talk 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Event called If I Do Just One Thing
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/science-/whats-on/2021/if-i-do-just-one-thing/
 
Description Compostable packaging in markets 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Talk in London Fields market with shoppers about compostable packaging
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Engineering Virtual Taster Lecture titled 'Biodegradability and the Impact of Plastics on the Soil Microbiome: Can we help avoid a climate crisis?' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The talk is aimed at a wide audience and there is a Q and A session afterwards
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.ucl.ac.uk/biochemical-engineering/events/2024/mar/engineering-virtual-taster-lecture-ser...
 
Description Environmental Materials 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Sustainability talk ay St Pauls School
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Festival of Stuff 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Festival of Stuff - importance of materials in society
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.instituteofmaking.org.uk/events
 
Description Good Housekeeping and RSC Chemistry World 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interviews with Good Housekeeping and RSC Chemistry World on Big Compost Experiment
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/citizen-science-project-investigates-what-happens-to-biodegra...
 
Description Guardian Newspaper 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Quoted in Guradian Article on wish-cycling
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/07/stop-wishcycling-and-get-wise-how-to-recycle-alm...
 
Description Guardian Newspaper 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interview with Guardian about our publication on the Big Compost Experiment.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/03/greenwash-home-compostable-plastics-dont-work-ao...
 
Description Guardian Newspaper 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Quoted in Guardian article on greenwashing
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/28/tesco-accused-of-greenwashing-over-biodegradable...
 
Description Guardian newspaper 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Mark Miodownik quoted in "Reuse? Compost? Dump? Solving the eco-conundrum of nappies"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/20/disposable-nappies-plastic-waste-diapers
 
Description Hosted visit from Defra officials 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact We hosted a visit of a total of 12 officials from Defra and the Environment Agency. We presented interim research findings from the projects portfolio and provided tours of Biochemical Engineering and Chemistry facilities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description If I Do Just One Thing 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Cheltenham Science Festival Sustainability Event
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/science-/whats-on/2021/if-i-do-just-one-thing/
 
Description Inspiration Talk 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Royal Institution Family talk, Zoe Laughlin, Ben Oldfrey, Mark Miodownik
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/your-inspiration-making-material-difference
 
Description Interview for The Guardian 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Mark Miodownik interviewed about nappies for "Reuse? Compost? Dump? Solving the eco-conundrum of nappies"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/20/disposable-nappies-plastic-waste-diapers
 
Description Interview for The Guardian 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Mark Miodownik interviewed about tree guard work
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/24/trees-should-be-planted-without-plastic-guards-s...
 
Description Interview for The Guardian 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Mark Miodownik interviewed for "'It comes from bacteria, and goes back to bacteria': the future of plastic alternatives"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/15/it-comes-from-bacteria-and-goes-back-to-bacteria...
 
Description Interview for The Independant 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Charnett Chou interviewed about tree guard work
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/tree-planting-plastic-carbon-reforestation-b190781...
 
Description Interview for the Guardian 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Mark Miodownik interviewed for Article "Not cricket? Scientists suggest bamboo bats are a match for willow" comments on environmental sustainability.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/10/not-cricket-scientists-suggest-bamboo-bats-are-a-mat...
 
Description Invited lecture in Japan at Kyushu University 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited lecture at Kyushu University to staff and students.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Invited lecture in Japan at the Ehime Symposium 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact An invited lecture at a symposium in Japan - outcomes in clude future collaborative grants which we are discussing
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Invited seminar in the Dept Chemistry, Bristol University 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited seminar in the Dept Chemistry, Bristol University 'Applications of biocatalysts for bond making and bond breaking', 1st March 2023. Extensives disciussion after.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Keynote Sustainability Lecture - University of Vienna 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact https://rudolphina.univie.ac.at/en/interview-with-mark-miodownik
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://rudolphina.univie.ac.at/en/interview-with-mark-miodownik
 
Description Lunchtime Lecture 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact UCL Lunchtime Lecture by Prof Paola Letteri and Charnett Chou 'Towards Net Zero: LCA Tools"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tHhomYR2dY
 
Description Materials for 21st Century 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Sustainability talk at Collyers School
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Meeting with Defra and Environment Agency officials to present interim research findings 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Civil servants at Defra and the Environment Agency requested a meeting to inform Government policy making. The team were seeking evidence on how viable it is to send biodegradable//compostable caddy liners containing food waste to anaerobic digestion plants. A meeting was held on 30/9/2021. Attendees included 7 members of staff from Defra and the Environment Agency including from the Defra Resources and Waste team, Defra EPR team, Defra Chief Scientist's Group, Defra Plastics, International and Climate Team, Environment Agency Chief Scientist's group and Environment Agency Bio Waste lead. A follow-up meeting was held with Defra civil servants to discus Life Cycle Assessments in relation to Extended Producer Responsibility was held on 5/10/2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Meeting with Defra officials on behaviour change research findings 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting with 5 Defra officials from the Waste and Resources team to present research findings on behaviour change and food waste recycling. (11 Oct 2022)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description New Scientist 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Danielle Purkiss quoted in "Do your own experiment to see if teabags are really compostable"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://institutions.newscientist.com/article/mg25433894-600-do-your-own-experiment-to-see-if-your-t...
 
Description Newspaper article - DerSTANDARD, Austria 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000203446/warum-recycling-kein-ausweg-aus-der-materialschlacht-ist
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000203446/warum-recycling-kein-ausweg-aus-der-materialschlacht-...
 
Description Plastic . Remaking Our World 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Design exhibition catalogue essay
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.design-museum.de/en/information/calendar/events/plastic-exhibition-programme.html
 
Description Podcast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Are plastics really the enemy? How can we tackle this global issue? In the first series of our new podcast, 'Brought to you by chemistry', experts from around the world explore what we can do to create a more sustainable future.
Episode 6: Plastics and composting - can it work?
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.rsc.org/new-perspectives/brought-to-you-by-chemistry-podcast/
 
Description Podcast interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interview about plastics included on 4 episodes of The Discarded podcast
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://link.chtbl.com/DiscardedPodcast
 
Description Policy workshop 'Achieving net zero carbon and transitioning to a circular economy: trade-offs and choices' 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Policymakers from DESNZ, Defra, DLUHC, DSIT and the Environment Agency attended a workshop with researchers from the Compostable plastics: unlocking existing barriers to systems change project, the Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre for Mineral-based Construction Materials project and UCL's Institute for Sustainable Resources to explore where trade offs might arise between the net zero and circular economy agendas, and what research evidence might help to inform decision making and prioritisation.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Ran a policy workshop to explore possible futures for compostable plastics 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact We ran a workshop to explore potential future directions for compostable plastics in the UK. It was attended by 10 academic staff, 11 members of the policy community and was observed by 5 government officials (from Defra and BEIS). the workshop provided an opportunity to build our networks with the wider policy community and to better understand the external context within which our research fits. We explored three potential future scenarios relating to different policy options on the use of compostable caddy liners in food waste collection schemes and the use of compostable plastics in personal hygiene products.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Repair Cafe 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Repair cafe for repairing items containing metals, plastics and other materials.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.instituteofmaking.org.uk/events/detail/repair-cafe-mechspace-44-wicklow-street
 
Description Spotify Podcast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Instand Genius Podcast on biodegradability
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://open.spotify.com/episode/4BBIjMrKOCb6eVBqXvQbtI?si=1f6998052db84419%29&nd=1&dlsi=260374fdb75...
 
Description Spotify podcast - NICER 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Contibution by Danielle Purkiss. This is NICER Life, the podcast exploring how a circular approach to business and industry could change the world. In this series, the team talk with experts from the different research centres in the UK's National Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Research (NICER) network, a cross-cutting research programme to help the UK become more circular and sustainable. Each episode we meet the people behind the research and explore the latest circular initiatives across academia, business and policy.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://open.spotify.com/show/6OUZm2lpY6XrhOml8oo47c
 
Description Sustainability Debate - Luiss University, Italy 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Freshers week debate to whole university - online platform
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description TV interviews - CNN, ABC 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact TV interviews with CNN, ABC and other by Danielle Purkiss on the Big Compost Experiment results.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Woodland Trust article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article called "What shall we do about tree shelters?" for WoodWise Magazine.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/