£1 million circular economy research hub at the University of Exeter to re-think plastics production and use

The University of Exeter has been awarded £1 million to create a new centre to tackle the use of plastic and plastic waste.

The Exeter Multidisciplinary Plastics Research Hub (ExeMPLaR) is one of eight prestigious new research projects across the UK to have been announced today by the Science Minister, Chris Skidmore. The eight projects will see researchers investigating alternatives to fossil-based materials for plastics, as well as looking into the complex factors involved in the life cycle of plastic materials, from consumers’ and business’ needs and behaviours, to how to use technology to reclaim or break down plastics.

ExeMPLaR will combine the expertise of academics from across the University who will also work alongside a large number of partners, including public bodies, businesses and the public sector. This requires a whole systems approach and a shift in mind-set from a linear take-make-dispose to a circular economy model.

“This is about academics working hand in hand with public bodies and industry to find real, practical solutions to some of the current issues surrounding plastic use and pollution,” said Professor Peter Hopkinson, Director of the University’s Centre for Circular Economy within the Business School, who is the co-lead of ExeMPLaR.

“This is not about eliminating all plastics – some plastic is used in highly valuable applications which would be hard to replace. Our approach is to develop regional circular plastics systems in which we design out plastic waste at the outset and design the system to enable plastics to be re-used at their highest value for the longest period.”

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