Shannon Davis University of California, Berkeley CHESC June 18, 2014 The Plastic Disclosure Project
Feb 22, 2016
Shannon DavisUniversity of California,
BerkeleyCHESC June 18, 2014
The Plastic Disclosure Project
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
Limitations with Resin Identification
UC Beyond the Bin
The Precursor to a Commodity
Meanwhile, pteropods are
in decline
Dark humor or harsh reality?
Micro Plastics & Pteropods
• Macro perspective on the “International Plastic Dilemma”
• Pteropods = base of the marine food web• Synergistic effects on all trophic levels
The effect of plastic in the context of a
changing climate
Mechanisms & Contributing Factors
City of Berkeley: MIXED bales contradict VHQ
“waste” embedded in the system
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?
Potential solutions: reduce reuse recycle REFORM
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