Plastic Alternatives

“Plastics in a circular society” (funded by Formas, 2021–2026) explores initiatives that directly confront unsustainable plastic practices, transforming the ways we produce, use, discard and govern plastics, as well as relate to this material altogether. We study multiple solutions that these initiatives bring in to address the plastic crisis, how they are organised, and their potentials to foster an ecologically sustainable and socially just future. It unfolds through three key steps:

1. Mapping initiatives

During this phase of our project, we have identified and mapped over 150 initiatives that address the plastic crisis worldwide. Visibilising their work is an important part of our research. 

2. Case studies

We conduct in-depth case studies and explore the values, ways of organising, scaling logics, and transformative potentials of selected initiatives.

3. Policy and governance

We analyse existing and potential policies and governance frameworks relating to the plastic crisis, examining how they align with or hinder the alternative organising initiatives.