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The Social Life of Plastic: Cleanliness, Convenience and Citizenship

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The Tairas in Miyazaki explain how recyclables have to be sorted-checking markings on packaging and stored in transparent bags at home until collection day.
Image Credit: Getty Images

Understanding the global plastic waste problem requires a deep look into how different societies use and manage plastics in their daily life. The global nature of the plastic waste issue means that learning from other countries’ approaches can offer valuable insights for tackling challenges at home. It also helps us better understand how our own social and cultural habits are tied to plastic use.

This project is part of the waste and management theme within the UKRI-funded Cambridge Creative Circular Plastics Centre (CirPlas). Focusing on plastics in consumer societies, the project collaborates with local communities while drawing on international comparisons. Key questions revolve around why and how we choose packaging, and how we consume food and drink, critical aspects of the plastic problem. This research includes various case studies and will culminate in an international workshop where scholars will present their findings on the social dynamics of plastic use.

Dr Brigitte Steger is a member of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. This project is also part of the Energy IRC, CirPlas (Cambridge Creative Circular Plastics Centre), and the Resource Efficiency Collective.