Lancaster University Management School event tackles planet’s plastic problems

Plastics are all around us – and their impact on the planet has been increasingly highlighted in the last decade.

But how can we best use plastics? How can we avoid waste, pollution, and damage to the planet? And should we actually even call them plastics in the first place?

At a special in-person and online event, experts from Lancaster University Management School (LUMS), Lancaster University’s Faculty of Science and Technology and an industry expert, will explore the globally-important issues around plastic packaging.

What Matters Now: A Pressing Plastic Problem takes place on June 10th, from 10.30am. It is the latest event in the LUMS series addressing the big issues facing society and business today and tomorrow.    

Members of the Plastic Packaging in People’s Lives (PPiPL) project from LUMS and Lancaster University’s Faculty of Science and Technology, alongside an industrial partner, will present insights from their work on consumer attitudes and behaviours towards plastic food packaging.

“Plastics have been found everywhere, from the deepest oceans to the summit of Mount Everest, to the insides of our bodies,” said Dr Alison Stowell. “But we have demonised a material which has a lot of positive aspects as well. The challenges is how to best use plastic, to avoid waste and pollution, to prevent damage to the planet, and these issues are among the most pressing facing us today.”

“Through the PPiPL project, we’re trying to get a real understanding of how people interact with plastic – and of the gap between consumers’ attitudes to plastics and their actual behaviours,” added Professor Maria Piacentini. “Not only are we looking at households and consumers, but also everyone from brands and manufacturers to retailers and waste disposal organisations. The project involves chemists, business experts and behavioural analysts, allowing us to bring expertise from across the spectrum to a key issue.”

Project leaders Dr Stowell and Professor Piacentini will present an overview of PPiPL; Dr Savita Verma will discuss the roles of businesses across the plastic food packaging supply chain; Dr Charlotte Hadley will examine consumer attitudes towards plastic; Dr John Hardy will look at the complications around post-consumption options; and Ian Schofield, a packaging and sustainability expert working with Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, will present an industry perspective on switching away from non-recyclable plastic packaging.

The event will take place both in-person at Lancaster University Management School, and online via Zoom. It is open to all, and there will be opportunities for questions throughout.

Click here for more information, and to register to attend.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Lancaster University Management School

Latest news

1

Breck doubles full-time staff in two years since office relocation Alex Lee Emma Renshaw Riaz Bapu Jonathan Lloyd at Breck

Breck doubles full-time staff in two years since office relocation

22 May 2025

2

Inspired reveal detailed discussions over third party cash offer inspired-500x500.png

Inspired reveal detailed discussions over third party cash offer

22 May 2025

3

Brabners bolster Lancashire's corporate team Nikki Whittle, Brett Cooper and Mark Rathbone

Brabners bolster Lancashire's corporate team

22 May 2025

4

Partner promotions at WNJ Stuart Mercer, left, and Matthew Johnson

Partner promotions at WNJ

21 May 2025

5

Accrington-made Vita Advanced Mattress wins prestigious 'Best of the Best' Award at Interzum 2025 Dr. Emily Schweissinger - Evonik, Dr. Roland Hubel - Evonik, Dr Mike Murray - The Vita Group, Natalie Watson - The Vita Group, Chris Hupfeld - Coverstro, Dr. Annegret Terheiden - Evonik and Dennis Wagner - Covestro

Accrington-made Vita Advanced Mattress wins prestigious 'Best of the Best' Award at Interzum 2025

21 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Business Bike Club – June
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Jun 2025 - 03 Jun 2025

Business Bike Club – June

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin