Fantastic Plastic

Transitioning towards an inclusive and circular plastic economy

Student report (2021)

Authors

F. Fons Architecture and the Built Environment
H. López Architecture and the Built Environment
J.G. Boendermaker Architecture and the Built Environment
M. Vuyk Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

L. Qu Spatial Planning and Strategy - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
Alex Wandl Environmental Technology and Design - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
Caroline Newton Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (mentor)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2021 Francien Fons, Hugo López Silva, Joaquim Boendermaker, Marit Vuyk
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Published Date

14-04-2021

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

The Earth is currently coping with global warming as a result of human behaviour. One of the causes is plastic, namely not only the production and transportation of plastic, but also the spillage is extremely damaging for the environment. Some awareness has already been raised and some actions have been taken but this is not enough to turn the tide, a change in the plastic chain is needed. Therefore, the following research question was raised: How can regional planning and design stimulate circularity throughout the plastic network in Zuid-Holland? Fantastic Plastic is a project that articulates a framework for this sustainable future with plastics. We relied on an integrated framework that combines spatial interventions with circularity and the plastic network.
Vision
We envision that by 2050, the way we use plastics within the province of South-Holland has changed drastically. The plastics industry, which is primarily linear at the moment, will shift to a circular model. The province will no longer rely on the import of non-renewable resources as raw materials for this industry, or rely on the export of excess plastic waste as an end of pipe solution - to plastic waste issues. Consumption has been limited to a minimum through socioeconomically fair and viable alternatives. End-of-pipe solutions shift to recycling and, perhaps, composting - diminishing the environmental impacts and closing the loop of the plastic cycle. In thirty years, the circular model will entail fair and viable solutions throughout the plastic lifecycle.
Strategy
This report identified four different spatial interventions that are crucial for making the plastic chain circulair, namely: The HUB centre, the HUB industry, the Park and the Port. These spatial interventions coexist and are integrated in people's daily life. They keep plastic flows at the lowest scale possible and make people actively interact with plastic on different levels. These interventions can accelerate the transition towards a sustainable future so that in 2050 plastic is transformed into Fantastic Plastic.