The Plastics Puzzle Panel
College of Engineering invites guest panel to delve into the issue of single-use plastics.
Prince Albert, Montreal, Nairobi. Plastic bag bans are being implemented in our province and around the world. As we grapple with managing waste from single-use plastics, do we have a full understanding of the problem we’re trying to solve? What do we mean by zero waste? How would we achieve that? Would a total ban create new problems?
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Engineering and the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy hosted a public event in February 2020 to explore the issue, including the circular economy for plastics and our role as consumers.
The Plastics Puzzle: A Conversation About Single-Use Plastics brought together five panelists from different backgrounds:
• Kevin Acton (Director of Operations, SARCAN)
• Joe Deutscher (Retired VP, Dow Chemical Canada)
• Lin Gallagher (Executive in Residence, Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School)
• Wes Kotyk (Assistant Deputy Minister, SK Environment Ministry)
• Tony Moucachen (President, Merlin Plastics Recycling)
Prior to the event, Dean Suzanne Kresta and panel moderator said, “We don’t want to have a ‘this is right, this is wrong’ conversation. Our aim is to expand understanding. There’s great value in sharing the best information and ideas from several perspectives.”
Learn more about this issue by reading the UN Environment Report: Single-Use Plastics: A Roadmap for Sustainability