CLARION CALL FOR A PLASTICS

and social – comes in, and why project leader Professor Steve Fletcher says if the Portsmouth community can revolutionise the use of plastics as part of a larger sustainability platform, then any community in the world can. “We see this being a pilot programme for the planet … an incubator for similar programmes in other cities, communities and countries,” he says. Only one per cent of people surveyed hold a view that individuals are powerless and therefore recycling or changing plastic use is pointless. The main barrier, for the majority of people, is knowing what to do.

People’s knowledge of climate change and environmental pressures, such as plastic pollution, is steadily increasing. What’s missing are clear, practical answers and evidence that manufacturers, food and transport industries and governments are taking a lead.

KNOWLEDGE BANK To address this, the University will position itself as the broker, providing research support for manufacturers, users, civic administrators and consumers. Professor Fletcher, who is Director of the University’s Sustainability and the Environment research theme and an adviser to the United Nations on ocean resources, says the Revolution Plastics programme seeks to achieve a transition away from unsustainable and polluting practices to a future in which sustainable plastics manufacturing and consumption is the norm. All aspects of society, the economy and politics need to adapt to achieve sustainability. He explains: “Transitioning to a sustainable plastics future creates an opportunity to engage with multiple disciplines – biology, psychology, marine sciences, geosciences, fashion, food and urban design – and industry and community sectors, at different scales and intensities.” THE PLASTIC-DIGESTING ENZYME Revolution Plastics builds on the momentum created by the University’s globally acclaimed engineering of an enzyme that can digest some of the most commonly polluting plastics, such as plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which persists for hundreds of years in the environment. A team of scientists worked with the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory to solve the crystal structure of PETase – a recently discovered enzyme that digests PET. During this study, they engineered an enzyme that is even better at degrading the plastic than the one that evolved naturally. The ongoing research is now supported by the Centre for Enzyme Innovation, which, in partnerships with industry, will have the capacity to take on the global plastics challenge.

A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH The University itself is already leading by example, showing what is possible through its own procurement, use and disposal of resources (materials, water, energy and services). This will work hand in glove with the formation of community and industry partnerships to transform the city into a global civic leader in sustainability. Some of this work will connect plastics research and sustainability with the city’s identity and enmesh plastics-related projects, groups, campaigns and organisations, including schools, with university teaching and research. The University wants to work with local organisations and is planning to host events, talks and other activities so the city community can join the revolution. Find out more at www.port.ac.uk or email revolutionplastics@port.ac.uk