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

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 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
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

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

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

09:30 - 15:30

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 LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin