Course Outline

Module 1: The Plastic Pollution Challenge

• Types of plastics and their applications.

• Sources and pathways of plastic pollution to the environment.

• Impacts on marine life, ecosystems, and human health.

• Exercise: Conducting a plastic waste audit for a facility or community.

Module 2: Policy and Regulatory Instruments

• Bans and restrictions on single-use plastics.

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging.

• Economic instruments: taxes, levies, and deposit-refund schemes.

• Case Study: Evaluating the impact of a plastic bag ban in a major city.

Module 3: Circular Economy Approaches for Plastics

• Designing for recyclability and using recycled content.

• Reuse and refill business models.

• Chemical recycling and advanced recycling technologies.

• Workshop: Redesigning a product package to minimize plastic waste.

Module 4: Innovation and Alternative Materials

• Bio-based and biodegradable plastics: opportunities and limitations.

• New delivery models and product service systems.

• Exercise: Comparing the life cycle assessment of conventional plastic vs. alternative material.

Module 5: Behavior Change and Implementation Planning

• Public awareness campaigns and consumer education.

• Engaging retailers, brands, and the hospitality sector.

• Final Project: Developing a multi-stakeholder plastic reduction action plan for a specific jurisdiction or corporation.