Our Research

Sustainable materials

Department of Biochemistry

Research lead: Prof Paul Dupree

We know that the strength and plasticity of plant cells are determined by the components of the cell wall. What is less known is how these structures found in nature can be used to develop sustainable materials. Researchers looked at birch wood cells to develop films that could replace non-recyclable plastic food wrap. This opens up possibilities for the elimination of plastic packaging that we currently see blocking drains and floating in rivers. For the latest in plant cell wall research follow Dupree Lab.

Read about the research into softwood.

Recycling processes

Department of Chemistry

Research lead: Prof Erwin Reisner

There are different ways to recycle plastic waste. One involves chemically treating plastic waste to extract useful elements contained within it. Researchers have found a way to release hydrogen from plastic waste which could be used to fuel trains and heat homes. This process is called photo reforming, which involves mimicking the power of sunlight using artificial photosynthesis.

Follow the Resiner Lab for the latest renewable fuel research. Watch an introduction to solar fuels here. 
Read about the hydrogen from plastic waste research.

Tracking the flow of plastic

Department of Engineering

Research lead: Dr Jonathan Cullen

Keeping track of plastics across the UK is difficult. Many products are composed of multiple types or have plastics as one part of the product, along with other materials. Researchers have found ways to collate information to give a clearer picture of where UK plastics come from and the distribution of plastics across different categories of use. This information helps to focus efforts on plastics that are particularly difficult to recycle. Read more here.

Read the report on plastics in the UK.

Consumer plastic use and waste management

Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Research lead: Dr Brigitte Steger

Having the technology to eliminate plastic waste is one thing. Getting the public to change how they think and feel about altering their habits is another. Social scientists investigated what plastic means in different cultures. By understanding what happens in other countries, findings can help us reflect on the options available for reducing plastic waste in the UK. By understanding what happens in other countries, findings can help reflect on the options available for reducing plastic waste in the UK.

Find out more.
Read about our international academic workshop. 
Read about the research into the social science of waste.

Biological processes and plastic waste

Department of Zoology

Research lead: Dr David Aldridge

Plastics are often thought about in terms of the harm they cause when microplastic is ingested by sea life. But there is a possibility that ‘filter feeders’ could be a way to monitor and reduce micro-plastics in degraded waterbodies. Some bivalve molluscs (such as mussels and clams) can filter 2 litres of water a day efficiently. This work is part of a collaboration with Nanjing University, China. Read more about mussels and human health here. For the latest research follow the Aquatic Ecology Group.

Read about the research on mussels in the river Thames.

Solar-driven reforming of solid waste for a sustainable future

Theme: Recycling processes
Authored by Taylor Uekert, Christian Pichler, Teresa Schubert and Erwin Reisner, this paper reviews the advantages and challenges of using photo-reforming to reduce municipal solid waste globally. The team concludes that along with other renewable technologies, photo-reforming can potentially generate clean fuels and mitigate waste in a carbon-zero future.

Read the journal article.

Plastic pollution and plastics as pollution in Mumbai, India

Theme: Consumer plastic use and waste management
The paper builds on Gauri Pathak’s presentation at CirPlas’s Social Life of Plastic workshop. Using India as a case study, Pathak examines discourses that position plastic pollution as spatial displacement, waste, environmental pollution, and symbolic pollution.