Free mekong thumbnail. SRM
  • Smart Region
  • Sustainable Energy & Environment
  • Fair Health
  • Smart Region
  • Sustainable Energy & Environment
  • Fair Health

Plastic waste is a global problem. There are many initiatives around the world for the removal of plastics from the environment. However, what happens to the plastic when it is removed from the environment?

Quick info

Project Name

Replastic 

Project Leader:

Maarten Podt 

Start date:

August 1, 2021

Status:

Ongoing

Duration:

1 year

Subsidy provider:

Regieorgaan SIA (Taskforce for Applied Research SIA)

Budget

€ 40.000

Cause

Plastics are very difficult to break down. This property causes problems in the environment but is beneficial for reuse. To facilitate the circular reuse of waste plastics, the idea arose to first recycle the plastics into plastic ‘sticks’, after which it can be upcycled into new products. We hypothesize that recycling before upcycling encourages the reuse of plastic. This is technically feasible, but much is still uncertain about the added value and economic feasibility.

Target

The aim of project Replastic is to develop knowledge in the field of circular economy and to stimulate the dissemination of international knowledge. To achieve this, we will:

  • Research on how to manufacture plastic sticks of good quality by experimenting with different plastic mixtures.
  • Explore the viability of a plastic recycling facility where plastic waste from the Mekong is used as raw material.
  • Create awareness for the need for circularity by introducing students to circular design and the opportunities it offers.

Background

In this project, waste plastics from local floodplains are used as a raw material for the production of plastic sticks. These sticks are used as the basis for products such as chairs, loungers and building materials. Together with the National University of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, designs will be made that fit within the Vietnamese context.

Blauw zoutbad. SRM. Free mekong. Replastic

This consortium contains the necessary knowledge, expertise and resources to convert waste plastics in both the Netherlands and Vietnam into plastic sticks and to fabricate blueprints for design applications.

Meet 

our team

Maarten Podt

Researcher Sustainable River Management
Portretfoto van onderzoeker bij het Lectoraat Sustainable River Management, Maarten Podt.

Jeroen Rijke

Lecturer Sustainable River Management
Lector Jeroen Rijke van het lectoraat Sustainable River Management.

Results

The results are currently being worked on, but will include:

  • A cost-benefit tool that serves as a guideline for how a recycling facility for river-plastics can be realized, so that the greatest possible value is created for the economy, ecology and society.
  • A design contest of products made from plastic sticks to be held in July 2022. The winning design will be prototyped and showcased on the university.

Contact

Maarten Podt: maarten.podt@han.nl
Tel: 06-11 15 15 62