Plastic Futures

Dr. Dr. Guido CanigliaAssoc. Prof. Dr. Hilda TelliogluProf. Dr. Thilo Hofmann Konrad Lorenz Institute TU Vienna InformaticsUniversity of Vienna for Evolution and Cognition Research Favoritenstr. 9-11 Environmental Geosciences EDGE Martinstraße 12 A-1040 ViennaAlthanstr. 14 UZA2 A-3400, KlosterneuburgA-1090 Vienna Research Context: Plastic packaging for foods represent a major dilemma in our societies. Massive use of plastics for packaging is essential to protect food, but it also contributes to increased pollution and waste legacies. There is an urgent need to crea te knowledge and build capacities to navigate this dilemma across multiple sectors of society and the economy. Research questions and objectives: From grassroots initiatives to new business models, there are many attempts to reduce the negative effects of the overreliance on plastic packaging. However, there is a dearth of knowledge and systematic approaches that capitalize on and integrate the often-contrasting perspectives of stakeholders involved in different stages of the life-cycle of plastic packages for food, from production to consumption and disposal. In our project, we aim to generate action strategies that foster (1) alternatives to conventional packaging and (2) new social norms and more sustainable social practices to navigate the packaging dilemma. We aim to develop action strategies through transdisciplinary collaboration to navigate the packaging dilemma as a systemic challenge in spe cific local contexts to generate solutions and alternative social practices towards sustainable development. Methods: We understand transdisciplinarity as a mutual learning process between science and society that can contribute to change towards sustainable development. We will create a networked and action-oriented Plastic Futures Lab in Vienna composed of three research institutes and relevant stakeholders from business and civil society. The lab will comprise an external site for experimentation with potential action strategies. The lab makes use of multiple methodologies, such as stakeholders engagement, embodied practices from the arts, design- led innovations for digital technologies, and innovations from the natural sciences. Level of innovation: Whereas most solution-options to the packaging dilemma are developed within one sector, our project will use transdisciplinary methodologies to engage with multiple stakeholders from different sectors and create action strategies to generate: (1) knowledge about more sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging; (2) new methodologies and heuristics that aim to generate new social practices and lifestyle for sustainability through the integration of digital technologies, natural sciences, art-based experiences, and stakeholders engagement. Team: The project brings together complementary knowledge and expertise: (1) Guido Caniglia: Methodological and epistemological dimensions of transdisciplinary and action - oriented sustainability research; (2) Thilo Hofmann: Environmental impact of plastics and safe- by-design strategies; (3) Hilda Tellioglu: Interaction mechanisms through digitally -mediated participatory design methods within co-creation processes. The three researchers work with two external collaborators: (4) Dominika Glogowski: Art, critical spatial practice, and design; (5) Ines Omann: Sustainability transformation research, sustainable lifestyles, and facilitation.