With Tom Stanton, University of Nottingham.
All seminars online. Please contact sue.davis@nottingham.ac.uk for the link. Subject to change.
Part of the Geosciences Seminar Series.
Abstract
‘Anthropogenic AL’ (AL) describes a diverse and pervasive group of materials that pollute aquatic and terrestrial environments globally. AL has been defined as ‘any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material’ that has been ‘discarded, disposed of or abandoned’ (UNEP, 2009). Of all the materials that AL encompasses, it is mismanaged plastic waste that has generated greatest concern from academia, industry, politicians, and the general public. The deleterious impacts of plastic are varied, and concern for these has driven global action to minimise plastic consumption and disposal. This action includes the marketing and preferential consumption of plastic alternatives by some, and the introduction of legislative measures that discourage, and in some cases prohibit, the use of plastic by industry. However, the fate, prevalence, and impact of plastic alternatives is seldom considered in scientific, industrial, legislative or public discourses of AL pollution that are dominated by plastic.
This talk will draw on my own research that has characterised AL beyond just plastic pollution for both macro (Big Fish) and micro (Little Fish) litter (plastic and non-plastic), and will explore the relative importance of action from different stakeholders associated with AL (Plastic Box).