Birmingham Plastics Network and Stan's Cafe collaboration receives further recognition for societal impact.
The Many Lives of PET #1 is a tabletop drama that dives deep into the world of plastic. Image credit: Stan’s Cafe
The School of Chemical Engineering and Birmingham Plastics Network (BPN) have been named the 'Community Action Award' winners in the Green Impact National Awards 2025 for 'The Many Lives of PET #1'; a complicated comedy about a plastic bottle.
Delivered by Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK), Green Impact is a United Nations award-winning programme designed to support sustainable practice within organisations worldwide.
2025 marked the 20th anniversary of the awards, which celebrate those who take meaningful climate action through creativity, leadership, and community-driven change.
The Many Lives of PET #1, created by Birmingham-based theatre company Stan's Cafe and commissioned by Professor Kit Windows-Yule with support from the Royal Society, Royal Society of Chemistry, and Lenovo, is a light-hearted yet thought-provoking theatre production which explores our relationship with plastics. The project was nominated as a "brilliant example of creative storytelling sparking community conversations about sustainability."
The project formed part of a wider science communication initiative linked to the BPN's 2024 Plastics Policy Commission, which brought together experts from science, engineering, law, economics, and more to develop evidence-based recommendations for a sustainable plastics future in the UK.
In 2025, the production reached over 2,000 individuals through public performances and school workshops, helping connect people with environmental topics in an unconventional format, particularly in underserved communities.
The University of Birmingham is committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment through its research, teaching, and operational activities. Learn more about the Birmingham Plastics Network and Sustainability and Social Responsibility at the University of Birmingham.
Professor of Digital Particle Technology
Kit Windows-Yule is a Professor of Digital Particle Technology in the School of Chemical Engineering, working jointly with the School of Physics and Astronomy's Positron Imaging Centre.
