“Knowledge about chemicals in plastics is limited in linear value chains, let alone in circular value chains. To ensure a transition toward a safe and sustainable circular economy for plastics, we need to think beyond the initial use phase of chemicals in plastics.”

Presentation title: Assessment of chemical threats and opportunities in circular plastics

Ricarda Fieber is a researcher at the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) in Switzerland. Her background is in Industrial Engineering and Materials Resource Management. Her research interests lie in understanding the role of chemicals in transitioning towards a safe and sustainable circular economy for plastics. Her interdisciplinary approach connects natural sciences with social sciences and combines research, industry, and policy perspectives. She has attended sessions 2, 3, and 4 of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop a global legally binding plastics treaty and was nominated to participate as an independent expert in the discussions at the Ad-hoc Intersessional Open-ended Expert Groups. She is also a member of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty and actively engages in the science-policy interface.