REPLAWA
A joint research project of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Reduction of the Input of Plastics via Wastewater into the Aquatic Environment
In recent years, the public interest in the environmental impact of plastic has increased significantly. Almost daily there are media reports about the plastic pollution of the oceans, the consequences of microplastic for animal population or about campaigns advocating the regulation of plastic bags, plastics in cosmetics or plastic straws. Plastic particles can be found in soils used for agricultural purposes from where they can disseminate in food chains or groundwater and are brought to the surface by flooding.
The transdisciplinary research project REPLAWA investigates how technical regulations can reduce and eliminate microplastic emissions into rivers and oceans during wastewater treatment. Unlike macroplastics, which are larger plastic components or whole plastic products, microplastics are mostly not visible to the human eye, but potentially contaminate the environment through different sources.
In general, there are two main ways of how microplastics enter the (aquatic) environment: Primary microplastics, which are manufactured e.g., as parts of cosmetic products such as toothpaste and peelings can enter the wastewater directly through emission. Secondary microplastics emerge as a result of the slow degeneration of macroplastics into smaller pieces, the abrasion of tires or the leaching of fibers from clothing with high plastic content. Primary and secondary microplastic pollute the environment through waterways and thus constitute a global environmental problem.
Within the joint research project, we examine the regulation of plastics and analyze the variance of plastic regulations from the perspective of International Relations. The project thus closes a research gap on anti-plastic norms in political science. There is a variety of different types of regulation, such as prohibitions and bans, incentive systems or voluntary commitments. Moreover, regulation can address different stages of the plastic product lifecycle and thus relate to the production, use, disposal or recycling of plastic. Finally, regulations can target different spaces by focusing on the local, national, regional, or global level or by differentiating between land-based vs. water-based regulation. Variance can also be seen with regard to the objectives of regulation: Should the amount of microplastics entering the environment generally be reduced or should only specific aspects of plastics pollution be regulated like their adverse health effects? Considering all these issues, the project is particularly focused on the interplay between technical and political regulation.
Aims and Objectives of the Project:
The Institute of International Relations (IIR) is primarily involved in the analysis of regulatory projects and measures worldwide. In this context, we will evaluate international regulatory concepts on plastic pollution, analyze stakeholder interests as well as the assess policy measures. The specific objectives of the project include:
Funding Information:
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). It contributes to the research focus “Plastics in the Environment – Sources, Sinks, Solution”, which is part of the Green Economy initiative of the BMBF “Research for Sustainability” (FONA) Strategy.
Title of the Joint Project: Reduction of the Input of Plastics via Wastewater into the Aquatic Environment (REPLAWA)
Title of the Subproject: Social science analysis and classification of wastewater-related regulatory proposals and measures worldwide
Funding Institution: Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Funding Period: since September 2018
Principal Investigators: Prof. Dr. Anja P. Jakobi, Dr. Bastian Loges
Research Assistant: Ronja Hänschen, B.A.