SCI-RSC Plastics, from Cradle to Grave and Resurrection

Synopsis

The use and mis-use of plastics has attracted considerable attention. The UK government has already pledged to work to reduce waste plastic. The Chancellor Philip Hammond announced a £20m fund in the 2018 Spring Budget to help businesses and universities to develop new technologies to help achieve the target of eliminating 'avoidable plastic waste' by 2042. There will be upcoming funding calls, as well as a need to review the whole area to reduce, replace and refine the use of plastics.

This conference brings together key sectors with the aim of focusing on assessing challenges and opportunities for researchers, industry and government. There will be a thematic link between the uses of plastics, their replacement with other materials, where it is advantageous, the toxicological hazards and benefits of plastic use, and the post-use challenges and opportunities.

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Programme

09.30		Registration and refreshments
09.45		Introduction and Welcome
		Theme 1 - Plastics - Use and abuse
10.00		The use and abuse of plastics Peter Maddox, WRAP
10.25		PVC in healthcare Ruth Stringer, Healthcare without harm
10.50		Plastics, packaging and politics Margaret Bates, University of Northampton
11.15		Refreshment break
		Theme 2 - Challenges for plastics
11.35		Why the waste hierarchy does not work for plastics Peter Reineck, Peter Reineck Associates Limited
12.00		Title to be advised  Speaker to be advised
12.25		Discussion
13.00		Lunch
		Theme 3 - Post-use challenges
13.45		Disposal of plastics. Biological removal John McGeehan, University of Portsmouth
14.10		Challenges in consumer packaging recycling Richard McKinley, AXION
14.35		Refreshment break
		Theme 4 - What has been done and what are next steps
14.50		Innovate UK and other government initiatives Sally Beken, KTN
15.20		Discussion of afternoon presentations
15.40		A series of short presentations/pitches for researchers and companies (3 minutes each) to explain needs, opportunities and technologies.
16.05		Summary and potential next steps and discussion
17.00		Close

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Venue and Contact

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Fees

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Additional Information

Call for Posters

Opportunities are available for a limited number of posters. Interested applicants should send an abstract of one A4 page or 300 words maximum, indicating title and authors, to conferences@soci.org by Friday 10 May 2019 with the subject line "SCI-RSC Plastics, from Cradle to Grave and Resurrection - Poster Absract". Selected poster presenters will be given the opportunity to give a 3-minute presentation. Prizes will be given for the best poster and presentation. 

Exhibition and Sponsorship

An exhibition will take place alongside the conference during refreshment breaks for companies and related organisations who may wish to exhibit. For further information and prices, please email conferences@soci.org. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

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