There are some regulations partly addressing plastics and associated chemicals and numerous activities among policy-makers which we study.
We examine the current regulation of plastics and their associated chemicals at various policy levels — ranging from international to national and regional — by applying qualitative governance analysis. Based on our understanding of the current legal framework for plastic regulation, we develop specific policy recommendations aimed at effectively protecting the environment and human health against plastic pollution. Our research elaborates on comprehensive policy approaches that address the plastic crisis holistically, considering its close interconnection with the climate and biodiversity crises.
Jessica Stubenrauch reserearchgate
Projects:
The regulatory responses to microplastic are analysed in detail regarding legal and policy-oriented analysis of pollution at national, European Union (EU), and international levels, with a specific focus on South Africa. It provides an overview on the evolution of the legal frameworks governing microplastics, beginning with early non-binding soft law instruments and fragmented sectoral regulations. A qualitative governance analysis is used to examine the current regulatory framework at all political levels. This research highlights holistic policy approaches to effectively tackle the escalating plastic crisis. It explicitly examines the crisis in the context of its close interconnection with climate change and biodiversity loss.
Research team:
As part of the nanoINHALE cohort, Paula analyses how narratives and stakeholders shape the time, space and scale at which plastics in the environment are (not) discussed. Using Argumentative Discourse Analysis and Discursive Agency Approach, narratives are analysed at the interface of the national, supranational and international level to identify leading narratives and stakeholder (groups) framing the topic. Furthermore, Anran and Paula were involved in the project “Synthesizing Plastics: Helmholtz Expertise on Plastics Research and Policy Engagement (SPHERE)” addressing the global challenge of plastic pollution by consolidating and advancing knowledge on the end-of-life management of plastics. During a stakeholder workshop different actors from regulation, industry, NGOs, and academia came together to discuss challenges and opportunities related to current (political) developments in the field of plastics as well as visions for a sustainable future for plastics. One main outcome of the SPHERE project is the publication of a policy brief on plastic policy for a circular economy.
Research Team
Governance Futures and Community Engagement
Projects
How is plastic pollution perceived, negotiated and addressed – and what enables change? This research approaches plastic pollution as a social-ecological problem along the plastics life cycle, from avoidance and packaging to waste management and litter in rivers and seas. It focuses on multi-level governance, the perceptions and practices of actors across scales, social inclusion, and environmental education and communication. Following a transdisciplinary approach, it brings together diverse actors to co-create and integrate knowledge, and analyses transformation pathways and the societal effects of research and interventions beyond their direct outputs.
Heide Kerber ( Profile / OrchID / ResearchGate )
Projects:
PlastX (lead: ISOE; BMBF, 2016–2021): The junior research group examined plastics as a systemic risk for social-ecological supply systems. Its sub-project on marine litter examined the multi-level governance of plastic pollution. On Phu Quoc Island (Vietnam), it explored the entanglement of waste and tourism – how a ‘green’ destination image is produced while waste accumulates out of sight – and why actors perceive and act on plastic pollution so differently.
SCIP Plastics (lead: Bauhaus-Universität Weimar; BMUV, 2021–2025): Together with partners in Bangladesh, the project worked on reducing plastic inputs into the Bay of Bengal, with a focus on the city of Khulna. It addressed the local waste chain – collection, disposal sites and recycling – as well as alternative materials and plastic inputs from local shipping in the ports of Mongla and Chattogram. ISOE analyzed stakeholders, perceptions of plastic alternatives and the role of informal waste workers, and developed an awareness center together with Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and the city administration (Khulna City Corporation), including an educational toolbox.
BLUE PRISM (lead: Bauhaus-Universität Weimar; BMUKN, until 2030): The project connects upstream and downstream actors in Nepal and Bangladesh to reduce plastic litter in rivers and seas. Key elements are a multi-level capacity development network between both countries, social business models for plastic collection with stronger participation of women, and plastic avoidance in tourism. Using transdisciplinary impact analysis, ISOE traces the societal effects the project triggers – beyond its direct outputs – and identifies transformation pathways through a leverage point analysis; the findings are synthesised into a decision-support framework.
Repack network (lead: IÖW; BMEL/BLE, 2023–2027): The accompanying research project supports 14 projects on reducing plastic in food packaging. ISOE analyses the societal impact potential of the projects and leads the work on consumer acceptance and behavior change.