Talks and shows

The future of recycling: One bin to rule them all

Mike Shaver explores plastic's role in sustainability, aiming for systemic recycling solutions and authenticity to avoid greenwashing.

Statue with a yellow plastic bag covering the head
Shvetsa via pexels

Plastics are a messy problem, highlighted by the extent of their use across different sectors and their value at end of life. But is eliminating single-use plastic enough to solve this problem? Join polymer scientist and sustainable development expert Mike Shaver as he explores the complex nature of our plastic environment, including the interdependency of plastics on our goals for lowering our carbon footprint and increasing our expected lifespan. 

Mike will also showcase the work of his research project “One bin to rule them all”, and how polymer chemistry can shape a new sustainable future by developing interdisciplinary solutions that work across the supply chain. The group aims to develop systemic approaches to improving sustainable fates, from reuse to enzymatic, chemical and mechanical recycling, and explore the opportunities and risks of new monomers for degradable polymers. 

Finally, Mike will highlight the importance of authenticity – both in terms of technical challenges in qualifying and quantifying recycled material, and in avoiding greenwashing.

This event is in partnership with the Henry Royce Institute.

Event type

This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online. 

By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants. 

Along with Imperial College London, the Ri is a founding partner of Undaunted, combating the causes and effects of climate change through clean-tech innovation.

About Mike Shaver

Image of Mike Shaver
Mike Shaver

Professor Michael Shaver is the Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Sustainable Automotive Plastics and a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Chemistry and Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. His career has been built on collaboration in his native Canada (Mount Allison University, University of British Columbia, University of Prince Edward Island) and his adopted UK home (Imperial College London, University of Edinburgh and the University of Manchester). In Manchester, he is Director of the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub and Director of Sustainable Futures, both at the University of Manchester, where he leads initiatives in sustainable polymers and champions strategic, interdisciplinary, sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. 

Timing

Doors to the theatre will open at 6.45pm and the talk will begin at 7.00pm.

Timing for the livestream

The livestream will go live at 6.55pm and the introduction will begin at 7.00pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Event terms and conditions