People, Planet & Plastic
Plastic is fantastic! Its versatility and durability have made it one of the most widely used materials in modern society. We encounter plastic continuously in our daily lives: in our car, houses, clothing, cosmetics, packaging, food, water, air.. So often that these plastic particles have now made their way into our body. And not only that. Plastic has been found even in the most remote places on Earth, from the top of Mount Everest to the deepest ocean. Plastic pollution is increasingly recognized as a growing global crisis. OOur group aims to collaborate in finding causes and solutions to tackle this new urgent challenge.
Our Focus
From Macro to Nano. Plastic comes in many shapes and sizes. Its impact does not stop at macro scale: larger plastic objects gradually degrade into smaller fragments known as microplastics (particles smaller than 5 mm), and can further break down into nanoplastics, which are invisible to the naked eye. Our group aims to investigate plastic pollution across all scales.
Health and the Environment. (Micro)plastic affects not only human health but also the environment. From the perspective of the new concept of Planetary Health, we aim to investigate this issue taking into account the planet as a whole with all its inhabitants.
Interdisciplinarity. Complex global challenges such as microplastics need an interdisciplinary approach. Our group aims to work on this issue from different perspectives, including environmental science, medicine, psychology and communication science.
Societal Partners. Tackling real-life problems is more effective when combining the efforts from science and society. We cooperate with societal stakeholders, namely institutions, companies, research institutes, citizens' organisations and the creative sector.
Projects
Activities
Group Members
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Dr. Josefine Geiger (Campus Fryslan) - Academic Lead: j.l.geiger rug.nl
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Prof. Barbro Melgert (FSE/UMCG) - Academic Lead: b.n.melgert rug.nl
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Irene Maltagliati (Faculty of Arts) - Academic Lead: i.maltagliati rug.nl
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Dr. Karin de Boer (FSE)
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Dr. Joao Graca (Arts)
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Dr. Berfu Unal (Campus Fryslân)
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Dr. Janina Wildfeuer (Arts)
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Dr. Fulya Kirimer (FSE)
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Cecile Wiersema (Campus Fryslân)
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Ivan Werthmann (Campus Fryslân)
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Lola Tucker (Rudolf Agricola School)
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Dr. Daniel Sloot (KIT)
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Dian Burhani (FSE)
UG Partners
UG Partners
External Partners
External Partners
Associated with projects and consortia: Microplastics & Citizens, Wad gaat om, Care 2 Change, Enlight and Momentum
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NHL Stenden - Hanze - University of Utrecht - TNO, Wageningen University - University of Bern - University of Bordeaux - Comenius University Bratislava - University of Galway - Ghent University - University of Tartu - Uppsala University
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Provincie Fryslan - provincie Groningen - provincie Drenthe,
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Gemeente Groningen - gemeente Assen - gemeente Leeuwarden - gemeente Emmen,
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Rijkswaterstaat - GS1/EAN Nederland
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Circulair Friesland - Vereniging Circulair Groningen Drenthe
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Plastic Soup Foundation - Ubuntoo - Texel Plasticvrij
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House of Design - EnversedStudio - 8D Games
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Waddenvereniging -Stichting Waddengroep - Wadden zeehavens - fmf (friese milieufederatie) - natuur en milieu federatie Groningen - natuur en milieufederatie Noord-Holland - Unesco Werelderfgoed - Waddenzee Werelderfgoed
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UMCG -Martini Ziekenhuis - Antonius Ziekenhuis - Ommelander ziekenhuis - Nij Smellinghe - Frisius MC - Milieu Platform Zorg - Treant
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Noria - Menzis - de jut fabriek Terschelling - NOM - PlasticsEurope - Pezy Product Design - Bedrijfsnetwerk Groene Chemie Drenthe (SUSPACC) - Life Cooperative - Sterinoord - Boikon
Interviews, Podcasts and Communication Materials
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Interview with Barbro Melgert: We breath in Plastic
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Interview with Barbro Melgert: Effects of long-term exposure to microplastics unclear
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Interview with Josefine Geiger: Sustainable Behaviour
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Interview with Irene Maltagliati: How to deal with microplastics in our daily life
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Podcast with Barbro Melgert: Microplastics from Clothes
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Informative flyers on Microplastic fibres and textiles (NL/EN)