Plastic Pollution and Sustainable Soluti

This course aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools necessary to understand and address plastic pollution from a multidisciplinary perspective, encouraging innovative and sustainable solutions. The course offers a comprehensive global perspective on the current state of plastic pollution, its primary causes, and the sustainable solutions being explored worldwide. The curriculum is divided into four main areas: 1) Formation and Environmental Behavior - We will explore how plastic pollution is generated and how it behaves in various environmental settings; 2) Ecological and Health Impacts - Students will learn about the effects of plastic pollution on ecosystems and human health, including the toxicity and potential targets of microplastics and nanoplastics; 3) Sustainable Solutions - The focus will be on the life cycle of plastics, emphasizing sustainable practices and technologies aimed at reducing plastic waste and pollution; 4) Policy and Regulation - We will analyze existing policies and regulations, assessing their effectiveness and limitations in combating plastic pollution. We will also review the status of the International Plastic Treaty spearheaded by the United Nations Environment Program, discussing its strengths and limitations. Additionally, students will gain foundational knowledge in methodologies for measuring plastic pollution, laboratory procedures, and the evaluation of the toxicological impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics on various organisms.