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SIRKULÆRØKONOMI-Sirkulær økonomi

Shifting to sustainable circular values chains for handling plastics in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Alternative title: Berekraftige sirkulære løysingar for å handtere plast i fiskeri- og havbrukssektoren.

Awarded: NOK 14.4 mill.

SHIFT-PLASTICS will create sustainable circular value chains for handling plastics in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Plastic pollution has serious impacts on our natural environment especially an impact connected to the formation of micro- and nanoplastics. We will solve the most problematic issues that the industries have regarding handling of plastics which is associated with complex material compositions (e.g., copper-impregnated nets and combinations of plastics and steel core ropes). Seven research institutions are involved, which have expertise in technology, policy, and circular value chains, and as many as 20 other actors - equipment manufacturers, industrial partners, the recycling industry, public partners, and interest groups take part in the project. One key pilar with the project is that scientist will investigate how one can technologically solve challenges with problematic plastic gear equipment, currently used in fisheries and aquaculture sector, with better and more optimal recycling solutions, and by use of new materials such as bioplastics. The scientist will also investigate how policy and incentives should be directed towards more benign designs that increase sustainability, product length, reuse, and recycling. Where the aim is to find policies and regulations should prevent the product from being discarded for energy recovery and depositing. Scientist will cooperate closely with equipment producers, industrial partners, the recycling industry, public partners and third sector partners to create sustainable circular economy value chains for handling plastics in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

SHIFT-PLASTICS will create sustainable circular value chains for handling plastics in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The project builds on the following pillars to succeed. 1) Technological innovation (WP1) in solving problematic plastic equipment, currently used by fisheries and aquaculture, by research into how materials that are used today could be recycled in an optimal way. Secondly, to address the possibility of replacing plastic materials with biopolymers. 2) The second pillar is policy (WP2). Policy and incentives should be directed towards more benign designs that increase sustainability, product length, reuse, and recycling. Policies and regulations should prevent the product from being discarded for energy recovery and depositing. 3) The third pilar is co-production (WP3 and WP4). This involves how scientist, public partners, third sector partners and private businesses could have cooperation on innovation and knowledge-sharing to increase sustainability and circularity when handling plastics. The project contains leading research milieus. SINTEF research milieus are in the forefront internationally regarding material alternatives for plastics and circular economics. WNRI has expertise in environmental sustainability and interdisciplinary research. The department for private law at the University of Oslo is well versed on EU policy, circular economy, and corporate sustainability. HVL and NTNU has expertise in economics, while the NRI has extensive expertise in co-production. Scientist will cooperate closely with equipment producers, industrial partners, the recycling industry, public partners and third sector partners to create sustainable circular economy value chains for handling plastics in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Publications from Cristin

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Funding scheme:

SIRKULÆRØKONOMI-Sirkulær økonomi