Plastic Pollution : The illusion of Circular Economy ? – PRICk

Do national, European and soon international regulations promoting the circular economy can reduce plastic pollution, and to what extent? Based on the results of an exploratory research and a collective scientific expertise, this project draws on the hypothesis that their impacts are limited, but more important these regulations are designed and implemented to maintain the collective illusion that the circular economy is on the way. The project brings together 17 researchers on Law, sociology, chemistry, economics and anthropology conducting single and transdisciplinary empirical studies to test this hypothesis in 3 areas. The first concerns the negotiations around the design of 3 national (AGEC), European (2019/904) and international (future treaty against plastic pollution) regulations.) regulations. The second studies the administrative control and the impacts in France of three regulatory tolls of national and European regulations (recycling, the ban of single use product, extended producer responsibility) on the food plastics packaging production and waste management supply chain at the local level. The third studies how routine consumer behaviors of plastic food packaging hinders or, on the contrary, support food plastic packaging consumption and consequently the implementation of the legislation. Finally, the project seeks to analyze the systemic convergence effects between these 3 dimensions in order to identify the less visible hinders or drivers of the economic circular transition.The 42-month project has three aims. First to produce academic articles, communications and books. Second, the creation of a “committee of 'stakeholders' made up of national and European politicians, environmental Ngos and representatives of the plastics industry will be designed to have a broader impact on public policies. The research team will report each year to this committee in order to discuss results and offers new public recommendations trough a final conference and a policy brief (Livre blanc). Finally, the project includes the creation of a documentary film based on the Project's researches to reach a wider audience.