Reduce, Reuse, Redesign: Lund University as a testbed for tackling the plastic crisis

The plastic crisis
The production, consumption, and waste of plastics – a ubiquitous but fossil-based and largely disposable material – have led to a plastic crisis. With estimates that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050, plastics are key to land and ocean pollution, also threatening different species and humans. Less discussed but as alarming in the context of climate emergency is the increasing share of plastics in the remaining carbon budget, with its production estimated to keep growing.

The solution
Supported by Lund University Sustainability Fund, this project addresses the plastic crisis at Lund University, where the university becomes a testbed for testing out solutions. It stems from the awareness that organisations – such as universities – are big users of plastics. We build on experiences of multiple initiatives across the globe that were mapped in the “Plastics in a circular society” research project (see plasticalternatives.lu.se) and draw on the plastic inventory tool of our partner Plastikfreie Stadt (Plastic-free City).

How the project will be carried out
The project is conducted in three steps. First, we identify existing practices related to single-use plastics at Lund University, combining our analysis of the context with a participatory approach where we ask campus users to share their ideas. Second, we advance and pilot Plastikfreie Stadt's plastic inventory tool at selected sites at the university. The tool helps to visualise, measure and reduce an organisation’s plastic footprint. Third, we create a university guide for tackling the plastic crisis. Reader-friendly while comprehensive, this guide will devise key principles for reducing plastic use at universities, aimed at leaders of different organisational units as well as students as drivers of change.