The University of Houston Division of Energy and Innovation and UH Energy Transition Institute are hosting a symposium, titled “Plastics, Chemicals, Circularity: What’s Next?” on Thursday, Sept. 21, to discuss pathways and solutions to help society move toward a circular plastics and chemicals economy and mitigate the environmental impacts of related processes and waste.
The symposium is a culmination of a multidisciplinary research initiative that aims to ensure affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all. It will examine what “circularity” means, the future of material production and consumption, meeting consumer demand sustainably, creating and preserving utility across the value chain, addressing emissions and waste using new technologies, standards and regulatory mechanisms.
The panelists for the symposium are:
- Aura Cuellar - executive vice president of growth and strategic projects, LanzaTech
- Jill Martin - global sustainability fellow, Dow
- Scott Pasternak – associate and senior project manager – Burns & McDonnell
- Tracy Hester - associate instructional professor and co-director of the Environment, Energy and Natural Resource Center, University of Houston Law Center (Moderator)
- Additional panelists could be added
The panelists will also discuss challenges, plausible pathways and analyses of proposed solutions for circularity and sustainability in the energy industry and needed to transition to a circular economy.
“Improper disposal of plastic waste is a growing environmental problem, while single-use plastics from petroleum contribute to global warming. We are excited at UH to be engaging thought leaders in how these problems can be solved by increasing plastics reuse and recycling in a sustainable way,” said Joe Powell, founding executive director of the UH Energy Transition Institute. “Come join us to hear these leaders in the field present their views on a plausible way forward for a circular materials economy.”
WHAT: Plastics, Chemicals, Circularity: What’s Next?
WHO: The University of Houston Division of Energy and Innovation and UH Energy Transition Institute invites anyone interested in critical energy issues and a sustainable circular economy involving plastics and chemicals.
WHERE: Ballroom, Student Center South at the University of Houston, 4455 University Dr., Houston, TX 77204 (Click here for map)
WHEN: 6 – 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21
To learn more about the event and to register, click here.