Addressing the global plastics crisis
Supporting the transition to a sustainable plastics economy
Photo by James Wakibia
Upcoming conference: PlasticsFuture 2023: A forum for sustainable transformation
20-22 June 2023
PlasticsFuture 2023 is our mission-driven conference aiming to inspire new solutions to end plastic pollution. It will be an opportunity to share global research and innovation across disciplines and communities, and forge future collaborations.
We’re on a mission to tackle the plastics crisis for our local community and the wider world.
Committed to facing global plastics problems, Revolution Plastics is an interdisciplinary initiative drawing together colleagues from across the University of Portsmouth and assembling teams of researchers, business-leaders, campaigners and citizens who share our commitment and ambition to transform the way we make, use and dispose of the polluting material, plastic
From developing sustainable fashion, to combatting microplastics, we’re putting our research into practice, and addressing plastics pollution; generating a globally-relevant community of plastics researchers and contributing to the sustainable transition of the city of Portsmouth as a prototype and showcase for a sustainable plastics future.
We see a critical space for the University as an independent, objective evidence provider at the interface of government, businesses, citizens, and researchers.
Ready to join the revolution?
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Revolution Plastics: Join the revolution and address the global plastics crisis
Professor Steve Fletcher invites you to join the University of Portsmouth in its ambition to drive change in the plastics sector and create a sustainable future.
The University of Portsmouth is working on a transformative programme focussed on sustainability and the environment, Revolution Plastics. This is our initiative to really drive change, in particular in the plastics sector. We're working at three levels, what we call the triple transformation.
We're working to transform the university's own environment and sustainability performance to be one of the world's leading green universities.
We're working to build a research community within the university that draws from a whole range of disciplines. This includes fashion, urban design, enzyme innovation, our marine scientists and geographers.
And the third part of our transformation is working with city authorities and partners within the city to really drive Portsmouth's transformation to a sustainable city.
We believe very strongly that we can't do everything and we need to work in partnership with others. We're working on projects with the G20. We're working with the UN Environment Programme, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the World Bank and a whole host of leading researchers to really drive our research programme around plastics and sustainability.
I believe that it has the potential to be truly transformative, both for the people of Portsmouth and for the wider world.
And this is where you can help.
Your involvement and energy in helping supporters on that journey would be amazing. So we'd invite you to join the revolution and play your part.
Featured news
Reusable packaging revolution is close - experts say
Scientists use puppets to showcase the work they do to tackle plastic waste
New report highlights need for carpet industry to roll out microplastic guidance
A report published this week focuses on the need for the carpet industry to stop brushing evidence of potentially harmful microplastics in their products under the mat.
UN roadmap outlines solutions to cut global plastic pollution
Research projects
Our work is making a difference. The projects we’re working on span across all disciplines combining creativity, research and innovation to address the impact of plastic and achieve sustainability across all aspects of society, the economy and politics
Masibambisane
This project uses street art, theatre and song and circular economy approaches to reduce open dumping and burning of waste and to increase plastic recycling in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Microbial transformation of plastics in SE Asian seas: a hazard and a solution (MicroSEAP)
The MicroSEAP project seeks to understand the impact plastic pollution has on marine ecosystems in South East Asia and find solutions to the problem
Sustainable Transitions to End Plastic Pollution (STEPP)
Learn more about our collaborative project to help reduce plastic waste in low and middle income countries
Mapping Portsmouth’s Plastic (MAPP)
The world’s first programme of city-wide plastic pollution surveys using a citizen science-based approach
Assessing pollution in Great Britain's coastal waters with GB Row
In collaboration with GB Row, we're undertaking a detailed survey of microplastics, e-DNA and noise pollution around Great Britain’s waters
PO1 Sustainable Fashion and Textiles
Named after the Portsmouth postcode district, this project aims to create a sustainable fashion system
Household Plastic use in Portsmouth
This Portsmouth based research project examines what influences people’s attitudes and behaviours towards plastic and what motivated or constrained their ability to reduce, reuse and recycle what they use
Mitigating Plastic Pollution Through Heritage Boat Building
This project is establishing a boat building training centre to teach local boat builders and students how to design and construct recycled sailing vessels and other products combining indigenous knowledge with modern innovation
Innovative Fishing Gear for Oceans (INdIGO)
This project aims to reduce marine litter through the development of biodegradable fishing gear
PlastiCity
We’re a partner in a project that’s repurposing ‘lost plastics’ and developing ways to increase urban recycling rates to over 50%
FLOWER (Flax composites, LOW weight, End of life and Recycling)
This project aims to develop natural fibre composites that are environmentally-friendly, alternatives to glass fibre composites for the automotive, marine, and advertising sectors
Addressing the plastic crisis
We use plastic in almost every area of our lives - as packaging, in electronics, clothing and building materials. Plastic is inexpensive and easy to make, it’s unmatched in its cost-effective durability and resistance to degradation.
But the durability that makes plastic so versatile and appealing has created a global plastic crisis. Some plastics take more than 400 years to break down, and around 11 million metric tons of plastic ends up in the ocean every year.
Half of all plastic becomes waste within a year of being made, yet most isn’t recycled. Our planet is suffocating in plastic, we need radical action to halt this trend and limit the damaging consequences of plastic pollution on our health, and on the environment.
We’ve got to find and create solutions to the world’s plastic problem. This is where Revolution Plastics comes in.
Revolution Plastics is led by Professor Steve Fletcher and Dr Cressida Bowyer. Our mission is guided by the expertise of our Advisory Council, composed of senior executives from organisations and sectors that play a role in plastics and sustainability.
Revolution Plastics PhD scholarships
We're forming a new, innovative and interdisciplinary cohort of five PhD students cluster of PhD students in Portsmouth.
Exploring the complex problem of marine pollution from plastic packaging, students will aim to harness individual and collective discoveries to deliver actionable strategies that can be taken to confront the global plastic crisis.
Our ambition
We’re assembling teams of researchers, business-leaders, campaigners and citizens who share our ambition to transform the way we make, use and dispose of this polluting material.
We've signed up to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. We're a member of their Network and the University of Portsmouth is profiled in their Higher Education Network of Universities.
Our revolution addresses damaging environmental and health impacts arising from plastics, through:
- Transforming the potential of plastic recycling and reuse
- Engineering enzymes to break down plastics faster
- Analysing plastics policy worldwide and advocating for binding commitments under international law
- Developing new sustainable materials
- Collaborating with communities in the global south to reduce plastic pollution
- Furthering the world's understanding of how microplastics affect us all
Our multidisciplinary approach to plastics research
Revolution Plastics spans all disciplines, finding and creating ways for society, the economy and politics to adapt in order to achieve sustainability.
We’re already making progress. We've examined the effectiveness of global plastic policies, been at the heart of global conversations about the world’s plastic crisis, helped to shape a global agreement on plastic pollution, and looked at how food and drink suppliers develop packaging.
We are studying how microplastics affect our oceans, economy and the air we breathe. We are utilising arts-based participatory methods to research plastic pollution impacts and solutions'. And we’re aiming to develop a sustainable fashion and textiles social enterprise.
Explore a selection of our plastics research features.
Research centres
Revolution Plastics builds on the momentum of our globally-acclaimed plastics research in developing a plastic-dissolving enzyme that can digest some of the most polluting plastics. Our plastics research has made national and international news, and is supported by our Centre for Enzyme Innovation, which works with industry partners to advance the circular recycling of plastics.
In November 2021, we launched our Global Plastics Policy Centre — designed to give governments and industry groups the evidence needed to make better decisions on plastic policies. The Centre is the first of its kind and will provide a central point for information, effectiveness and barriers to plastics policy success.
Global Plastics Policy Centre
The Global Plastics Policy Centre is helping to find sustainable solutions to tackle plastic pollution around the world.
Centre for Enzyme Innovation
At the Centre for Enzyme Innovation, we're researching solutions to some of the most pressing global environmental problems.
Microplastics research group
The University of Portsmouth is researching the impact of microplastics on human health and the environment, and finding innovative solutions to plastic pollution.
Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Research Group
Working to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing by developing engineering solutions that are smarter, cleaner and sustainable.
News
World’s first city-wide plastic survey Harnessing people power to help with plastic pollution in Portsmouth
Breathe well live well – new study shows link between air quality and children’s lung health
All-female ocean rowing team embarks on 2,000 mile challenge around Great Britain
Reusable packaging revolution is close - experts say
National Action Plans – will they help end plastic pollution?
Blogs
INC-2: How close are we to a global plastics treaty? Featuring Professor Steve Fletcher and Antaya March
Plastic recycling is failing – here’s how the world must respond
Why enzymes are the latest fashion in the fight against plastic waste in our clothes
Biodegradable plastic in clothing doesn’t break down nearly as quickly as hoped – new research
Single-use plastic bans: research shows three ways to make them effective
Events
Jun 20 2023
-Jun 22 2023
