A new research centre to study the growing problem of plastic waste

A new research Centre has been established at ΒιΆΉΝψ to study the growing problem of plastic The resolved structure of an enzyme from a marine plastic degrading bacteria.The resolved structure of an enzyme from a marine plastic degrading bacteria.waste. (PRC Wales) is the first of its kind in the country and brings together a wide variety of academics, students, organisations and industries.

ΒιΆΉΝψ’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Impact, Prof David Thomas, brought together the group after realising many scientists in the university were already researching various aspects of plastic waste.

β€œWe felt it was time to add our considerable academic weight to the fight against plastic pollution,” said Prof Thomas.

β€œWe’ve brought together a great group of researchers from all across ΒιΆΉΝψ, but the PRC Wales isn’t just about research; everyone involved in the centre is passionate about tackling what David Attenborough describes as an β€œunfolding catastrophe”.

Dr Christian Dunn collecting fresh water to test for the presence of microplastics.Dr Christian Dunn collecting fresh water to test for the presence of microplastics.β€œWe want PRC Wales to be a true hub of knowledge for anyone, from our current and prospective students, to members of the public, businesses and policy makers.”

β€œWe encourage anyone that’s interested in this subject to get in-touch with us,” Prof Thomas added.

Projects taking place at the university include work by Prof Golyshin and others in the (CEB) looking at how microbes are attaching themselves to plastics.

Research by the ΒιΆΉΝψ , led by Dr Christian Dunn - with support from Friends of the Earth, Surfers Against Sewage and Laura Sanderson from We Swim Wild - is looking at the presence of microplastics in UK inland waters and National Parks, alongside developing wetland ecosystems to remove plastic particles from our waterways.

ΒιΆΉΝψ’ University’s are contributing through their work investigating alternatives to plastic packaging including .

World-leading scientists such as Prof Davey Jones, Dr Adam Charlton, Prof Simon Neill and Dr Peter Robins will be continuing their pioneering work mapping the movement of microplastics in soils, rivers and Packaging made of ryegrass waste developed by the BioComposites Centre and used by a major supermarket.Packaging made of ryegrass waste developed by the BioComposites Centre and used by a major supermarket.coastal waters, looking into the effects plastic has on organisms and habitats and creating uses for waste plastic.

Publication date: 4 June 2020