Microplastic in the environment - sources, impacts and solutions

Microplastic
in the Environment
Sources, Impacts & Solutions
r 2015
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23 - 2
Germany
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Maternusha
+++ More than 200 participants expected +++
+++ 15% early bird discount until end of June +++
+++ Free exhibition booths for participants +++
Organiser
microplastic-conference.eu
Preliminary programme
Scientific studies have shown that plastics greatly contribute to the littering of the
environment. Plastic particles can be found in the air, in the soil, in rivers and lakes,
and especially in the marine environment.
Sources of microplastics
Impacts of microplastics
Plastic particles can be found in the air, in the soil, ­
in rivers and lakes, and especially in the marine environment. Plastic particles with a diameter smaller
than 5 mm are referred to as microplastics. These
can be secondary fragments created by the breaking up of larger pieces of plastic such as packaging
materials, or fibres that are washed out of textiles.
They can also be primary plastic particles produced
in microscopic sizes. These include particles used in
cosmetics and in other body care applications.
Microplastics in the environment cause a wide range
of negative impacts. Marine litter is known to have
negative effects on the health of more than 600
species. More than half of these ingest or become
entangled in plastic debris. The components of
microparticles can be toxic or cause endocrine disruption. In addition, marine organisms that swallow
plastic microparticles may potentially ingest higher
doses of persistent organic pollutants sticking to
the surface of these microplastics. This poses the
risk of toxic substances accumulating in the food
web and harming a variety of animal species and
also human beings.
What are the most important sources of microplas­
tics? This question will be answered by the latest findings of studies in Norway, Denmark and Germany.
Different sources of microplastics will be introduced
to derive a comprehensive understanding of their
origins as well as their fate and accumulation in the
environment.
Confirmed speakers:
Prof. Richard Thompson
University of Plymouth, Great Britain
Peter Sundt
Mepex Consult AS, Norway
What are the impacts of microplastics in the environment? This question will be answered in detail
to highlight the impacts of microplastics on plants
and animals in freshwater and aquatic ecosystems.
Furthermore, a case study of contaminated seafood
will be presented to focus also on consequences for
humans.
Confirmed speakers:
Dr. Miriam Weber
HYDRA Institute for Marine Sciences AG,
Germany and HYDRA Field Station, Centro
Marino Elba, Italy
Prof. Dr. Stephan Pflugmacher-Lima
TU Berlin, Germany
PhD Carsten Lassen
COWI A / S, Denmark
Prof. Christian Laforsch
University of Bayreuth, Germany
Roland Essel
nova-Institut, Germany
Solutions: Prevention,
recycling and education
What are the most promising solutions for the
problem of microplastic in the environment? Different strategies such as prevention of microplastics,
resource efficient production, recycling and aware­
ness rising will be presented and discussed with
­stakeholders from industry associations, governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations.
Confirmed speakers:
Nadja Ziebarth
BUND - Friends of the Earth, Germany
Maria Westerbos
Plastic Soup Foundation, The Netherlands
Special focus: Substitution
of conventional plastics
with biodegradable plastics
& other materials
Can the substitution of conventional materials with
biodegradable plastics and other biodegradable
materials present a possible solution for certain
applications in which plastic waste and entrance of
plastic into the environment cannot be avoided?
This question will be answered by presenting the
detailed concept of biodegradation of bio-based
plastics in contrast to the fragmentation of non-biodegradable plastics and oxo-fragmentable plastics.
Furthermore, it will be discussed which standards
and labels are available for biodegradable plastics in
different environments. In addition, innovative companies that already offer products fulfilling these
requirements will showcase their applications.
Confirmed speakers:
Jeroen Dagevos
Plastic Soup Foundation, The Netherlands
Bruno de Wilde
OWS N.V., Belgium
Jan Ravenstijn
Jan Ravenstijn Consulting, The Netherlands
Arjan Klapwijk
Bio4Life BV, The Netherlands
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Bonten
University of Stuttgart, Germany
Michael Carus
nova-Institut, Germany
Your Conference Team
Michael Carus
Managing Director
nova-Institut GmbH
Roland Essel
Programme
+49 (0)2233 4814 - 40
[email protected]
Dominik Vogt
Conference Management &
Sponsorship
+49 (0)2233 4814 - 49
[email protected]
Jutta Millich
Partners & Media Partners
+49 (0)561 503580 - 44
[email protected]
Ina Hellge
Contact, Registration,
Organisation
+49 (0)2233 4814 - 64
[email protected]
Here is how you can show
up and plant your flag!
Become a partner of the conference
The conference organisers foresee close cooperation
agreements with major trade associations, research
institutions, environmental organisations and political
bodies in order to target and reach a broad base of
interested parties. Your contact: Jutta Millich.
Become a media partner of the conference
Major trade magazines, newspapers and online media
in related fields are welcome to join in a media partnership. Your contact: Jutta Millich.
Free exhibition booths for participants
Register now and take advantage of this opportunity!
You can present your alternative products, environmental campaigns or research results in the immediate environment of the conference. Your contact:
Dominik Vogt.
Entrance Fee
Conference incl. Catering, plus 19 %
295 €
495 €)
(Single Day)
(Both Days
VAT
ion at:
Registration and further informat
u
www.microplastic-conference.e
Venue
Maternushaus Köln
Kardinal-Frings-Str. 1 – 3
50668 Cologne, Germany
+49 (0)221 163 10
[email protected]
23 - 24
November
2015
Partners & Media Partners
bio.org
nova-Institut GmbH
Chemiepark Knapsack
Industriestr. 300
50354 Huerth, Germany
ibbnetzwerk-gmbh.com
clib2021.de
bioplasticsmagazine.com
kunststoffland-nrw.de
plasticker.de
polycomply-hoechst.com
15-06-15
plastixportal.co.za
k-zeitung.de
heise.de/tr