PLASTIC LIVES

Innovative Social Science Research Group

The Plastic Lives Research Consortium (PLRC) is committed to understanding the social life and lifecycle of plastics. Plastics are ubiquitous in modern life, making it hard to imagine a future without them. Yet, there is also growing concern about the proliferation of plastic use and the ecological damage that plastics ‘out of place’ can do to humans, animals, and the environment, to say nothing of the geopolitical inequalities of plastic-related waste and pollution, and impacts on climate change.

Guided by political ecology and in line with a One Health perspective, members of the Plastic Lives consortium conduct multi-sited research informed by medical and environmental anthropology, and science and technology studies. We examine circuits and practices of plastic production and distribution, consumption, repurposing, recycling and disposal around the world. We provide insight into how plastics are valued in different contexts, investigating plastic-related perceptions, policies, and representations in the public sphere.

Ultimately, we are interested in understanding the paradox of plastics: they contribute to human health, hygiene and wellbeing, while also presenting significant public and planetary health risks today and in the future.