PLASTICS CREATE complements the Open Plastic project, complementing and amplifying the training component of Open Plastic, and supporting research projects complementing the research underway in Open Plastic. PLASTICS CREATE brings in new researchers, particularly in science translation to impact (Professors Maine and Lubik, SFU), and additional expertise in Life Cycle Analysis and Techno-Economic Analysis (Professor Zhang, Queen's). Collaborator Professor Myra Hird is a world expert in waste flows, notably plastics, and their intersection with society. Professor Ann-Perry Witmer is leading the development of Contextual Engineering, which we are using in both industrial and place-based settings.
Open Plastic is a Canadian-led team consisting of multiple universities, municipal governments, and industries driving a shift to a zero-plastic waste future by harnessing genomics technologies to create a circular economy for plastics. Our goal is to identify and engineer bacteria and enzymes that can break down plastics into recyclable components or into valuable fine chemicals more effectively than chemical conversion-based technologies. On a second front our team is conducting a holistic investigation into the impact of these new plastic biotechnologies on society, the economy, and the environment, and studying ways to catalyze science translation to impact. Preliminary estimates indicate that if 90% of plastic is diverted to recycling instead of landfill, Canada could avoid $500 million per year in costs, and create 42,000 jobs in new industries. We could also save 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year in greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, we envision a future where plastics continue to contribute to the economy in a positive way, but without the concomitant negative impact on the environment.