Synergistic Solutions to Societal and Industry Disconnects in the Management of Plastic Waste

Presenter

Abigail Marie McCarthy

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Ray Kinoshita Mann, Department of Architecture, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A39, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 2 (A21-A40) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Plastic pollution is linked to a wide variety of environmental issues and a myriad of

health threats that burden both humans and other creatures. While many organizations and entities

are seeking to tackle plastic waste issues, they often seem at cross purposes. For instance, a

company that repurposes used plastic might be criticized for perpetuating plastic use from others

who seek to eliminate use of the material altogether. Although the issues surrounding plastic may

differ, perhaps we can establish a synergy among problems that derive from plastic and create

unified solutions to jointly address them. My research seeks, through a review of the literature, to

understand the multiplicity of approaches along with their assumptions, strengths and

shortcomings, to establish what are creditable concerns. Based on qualitative and quantitative

analysis, and logical argumentation, I seek to establish a set of principles that could help to put

aside some of the perceived conflicts in order to work more synergistically to solve this global

problem. The New York v. PepsiCo lawsuit, and firms such as Conceptos Plasticos, are among the

recent political debates and professional bodies that I will study in order to gain further insight

toward the variety of approaches that groups use to mitigate plastic pollution crises. The lack of

consideration and comparison of each area of plastic concern is a major oversight considering the

potential for shared solutions and united goals. Further identifying the disconnects between

varying plastic problems/projects, may allow us to uncover solutions applicable to different

plastic concerns.

Keywords

Sustainability, Plastics, Synergistic Solutions, Pollution, Health Impacts

Research Area

Environmental Science and Sustainability

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