In the interview, political scientist Tobias Gumbert and geographer Dr. Yusif Idies agree that the new EU plastics directive is a good first step towards raising public awareness of plastic consumption. Nevertheless, both fear that the directive will not combat the actual plastic problem effectively. According to Dr. Yusif Idies, a complete renunciation of plastics is not possible in our system, which is oriented towards plastics. In this context, Tobias Gumbert stresses the need to differentiate between the positive properties of the material and the problems associated with its disposal. Finally, the scientists call for joint action that goes beyond individual private behaviour: "It is a misconception that the sum of individual decisions will change the system. We need to understand how our own actions, thinking and everyday practice relate to global structures. (...) Sustainable consumption does not stop at the limits of the private sphere." (own translation).

The interview is supplemented by an infobox on microplastics written by Prof. Bodo Phillip (microbiologist and biotechnologist, also a member of ZIN) and Dr. Frederike Gabel. In the course of the research project "MikroPlaTaS”, they are both conducting research on the topic of microplastics and hope that the investigations carried out as part of the project will "possibly lead to new strategies for detecting and removing microplastics in the environment" (own translation).
If you are interested, you can read the full version of the interview here.

Source: Der Rektor der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Muenster (Ed.). 2019: " Gemeinsam gegen Plastikmüll ". Interview with Dr. Yusif Idies and Tobias Gumbert, IN: wissen|leben 13(4), available online at: https://www.uni-muenster.de/unizeitung/, last accessed: 07.06.2019.