Wageningen researchers Robert Goedegebure, Rick Fransman en Carina Castagna will be present at Lowlands next week to join the Lowlands Science Programme with a game on separating plastic waste. Goedegebure explains.
'Lowlands' Science Programme has a dedicated location on the festival grounds. There, you will find several container units, each with research from different knowledge institutes. Our specific study is called 'Hooked on Plastics'.'
Can you describe the test/game?
'We have participants read various types of information on the different ways in which plastic can be recycled and the benefits thereof. Afterwards, they can fish for rubber duckies. Each ducky is linked to an item of plastic. When a ducky is reeled in, the participant is given a piece of plastic and asked to recycle it correctly.'
What makes household plastic recycling challenging?
'The rules are not always clear, and there are regional differences. You may face different recycling rules at home and work. Moreover, households receive little to no feedback on whether they have correctly separated their plastics.'
How do you aim to improve recycling?
'Our research project MUNITION aims to investigate whether governments should focus on separating at the source (households) or separating at the recycling plant. Our sub-project focuses on investigating what hurdles households face and how we can help overcome them. Additionally, we want to be able to advise policy-makers on their recycling policy.'
Consumers are just a part of the recycling problem. A considerable portion of the separated plastics are not recycled but incinerated. That is hardly motivating. What solutions are there?
'The plastic waste stream must have a particular degree of purity to be processed-generally, around 80 per cent. The wrong plastics and contaminants in plastic waste streams can cause dutifully separated plastics to be ill-suited for recycling. This is not just a waste, but also demotivating for consumers. A possible solution lies in providing consumers with additional information on the recycling process. This may also debunk specific ideas and myths that have emerged about recycling plastic and motivate consumers to separate and recycle their plastics (better).'
Is it already clear whether separating at the source or at the plant is better?
'No, we have no conclusions as of yet. MUNITION is a four-year NWO project with four sub-projects (two at WUR and two at the Radboud University). We have been underway for less than a year, so it is still too early for any conclusions.'
