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The Plastic Disclosure Project

The Plastic Disclosure Project. Shannon Davis University of California, Berkeley CHESC June 18, 2014. The Commodification of Waste: A Story of Plastic Recycling in Berkeley. Society & Environment B.S. with Honors Conservation Resource Studies B.S. Symbolism: a grey area.

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The Plastic Disclosure Project

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  1. The Plastic Disclosure Project Shannon Davis University of California, Berkeley CHESC June 18, 2014

  2. The Commodification of Waste: A Story of Plastic Recycling in Berkeley • Society & Environment B.S. with Honors • Conservation Resource Studies B.S.

  3. Symbolism: a grey area

  4. Limitations with Resin Identification

  5. UC Beyond the Bin

  6. The Precursor to a Commodity

  7. Dark humor or harsh reality? Meanwhile, pteropods are in decline

  8. Micro Plastics & Pteropods • Macro perspective on the “International Plastic Dilemma” • Pteropods = base of the marine food web • Synergistic effects on all trophic levels

  9. The effect of plastic in the context of a changing climate

  10. Mechanisms & Contributing Factors

  11. City of Berkeley: MIXED bales contradict VHQ

  12. “waste” embedded in the system

  13. Is Commodification Recycling? • What is the difference between recycling, up-cycling, or down-cycling? • All plastics are not made equal (Type,Shape,Color,Grade) • Many names: • Waste? • Resource? • Raw material? • Scrap Plastic? • A commodity? • At what point is a material “recycled”? • Bale? • A ton? • Flake? • Pellet? • Actual “new” material or product?

  14. Potential solutions: reduce reuse recycle REFORM

  15. Conclusions & Recommendations • Up-cycling: (Single use) MULTI USE • Design a circular economy • DISCLOSURE! Beyond diversion rates • Utilize a “systems” approach • Examine upstream & downstream processes • Shift the burden: Extended Producer Responsibility • Internalize externalities-separate costs • RESEARCH more alternatives! • Social responsibility • Environmental responsibility • The role of POLICY MIXED bales contradict VHQ

  16. Questions? • Shannon Davis • shannondavis@berkeley.edu • Recycle.berkeley.edu

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