New European network of cities to avoid plastic waste (HISCAP)
Europe has more than 500 million inhabitants and also attracts tourists from all over the world. Not all of them dispose of their waste properly, disposable plastic bottles and dishes end up in urban waters or are left by the roadside. Plastic waste in particular poses an enormous challenge. However, existing strategies within the framework of a circular economy for reuse or recycling often fail. Many European cities have already begun to address these challenges. In order to exchange experiences and best practices, the EU-funded research project BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE is launching the network "Historic Cities Against Plastic Waste", HISCAP for short. The main focus is on cities that are characterized by cultural heritage; they are characterized by buildings and urban infrastructure of historical or architectural value. In regular virtual meetings, participants can benefit from the latest findings and effective approaches to solving the problem of plastic waste in their cities. In addition, cities can use this platform to present their own success stories on waste prevention and recycling with a Europe-wide reach. The first HISCAP meeting takes place online on 17 September 2020 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CET. Current best practices will be presented: "Lessons learned" from the Lithuanian city of Neringa on the Curonian Spit, insights into the proven deposit refund system in the Estonian Tallinn as well as experiences and insights from Plasta in Vilnius/Lithuania, the largest polyethylene producer in the Baltic States and one of the largest polyethylene recyclers and manufacturers of plastic products in Europe. Contact Hamburg University of Applied Sciences Research and Transfer Centre "Sustainability and Climate Change Management" BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE Ulmenliet 20 21033 Hamburg, Germany bioplastics@ls.haw-hamburg.de www.bioplasticseurope.eu