Aim: To apply state-of-the-art modelling approaches to understand the causes, sources, and pathways of plastic waste, to identify hotspots and inform intervention.
UK lead: Dr Costas Velis, University of Leeds
Indonesia lead: Dr Emenda Sembiring, Institut Teknologi Bandung.
Partner network: Professor Richard Thompson, University of Plymouth; Dr Muhammad Reza Cordova, Indonesian Institute of Science; Dr Gede Hendrawan, Universitas Udayana.
Understanding the sources, pathways, and fate of plastic waste in man-made systems is a key requirement for identifying plastic pollution hotspots, and for implementing successful interventions. Current model estimations of plastic emissions are highly uncertain, mainly due to a lack of field data and complexities in the fate and transport of plastics. The PISCES team will significantly expand the capabilities and applications of two state-of-the-art plastic pollution quantification model methodologies, pioneered by University of Leeds (link to the models) in collaboration with the International Solid Waste Association and SYSTEMIQ. The results will inform the targeting of hotspot cities for intervention by SYSTEMIQ and the Indonesian government.