The Birmingham Plastics Network is an interdisciplinary network of over 60 researchers at the University of Birmingham, which aims to engage with the plastics waste problem comprehensively, utilising a whole-systems approach and enabling widespread impact which considers economic, environmental, social and ecological impacts.
Birmingham has a rich history with plastics, dating back to the mid-19th century. The city’s journey with plastics began with Alexander Parkes, a Birmingham-born artisan and chemist, who invented Parkesine, broadly considered to be the first man-made plastic, in 1862.
Since its invention, Birmingham’s contributions to the plastics industry have been significant, including its role in the production of Bakelite in Tyseley, and the development of a broad range of innovations. At the Birmingham Plastics Network, we believe that Birmingham now possesses a civic responsibility to present the innovations and solutions required to create a more sustainable plastics future.
An introduction to the Birmingham Plastics Network
Read the Policy Commission: A Future for Sustainable Plastics
In the face of globally increasing plastic pollution, the United Kingdom stands at a crossroads. We urgently need to reimagine our relationship with plastic and the waste generated at its end of life. Chaired by Baroness Meacher, Crossbench Peer for the House of Lords, and with expertise and insights from a range of experts in plastics for their relevant sector, our report outlines thoughtful, evidence-based recommendations to government.
Download the full Policy Commission report (22.01 Mb)
Our plastics research
Our unique team brings together chemists, environmental scientists, philosophers, linguists, economists, artists, writers, lawyers, and experts in many other fields, to address the global plastics waste problem in its entirety. We engage with the plastics waste problem comprehensively, utilising interdisciplinary methods of research to ensure and enable widespread impact. Our research covers topics including, but not limited to:
- Development of sustainable polymers
- Policy for sustainable plastics and associated terminology
- Sustainable methods for the recycling and re-use of plastics
- Environmental impacts of end-of-life solutions
- Development of new degradable Biomaterials
- Consumer responsibility; public perceptions and expectations
- And more
We know that pathways and solutions need to be collective and systematic in approach, bringing together organisations with different priorities and purpose around the shared common purpose of creating and maintaining systems of sustainable plastic production, consumption and re-use. Therefore, we welcome collaboration with industry, academia, policymakers, charity, and others to create meaningful change for society on this important issue.
Contact us
For any enquiries please contact plasticsnetwork@contacts.bham.ac.uk.