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Seventh POLYPROBLEM-Report Mind the Gap Plastic waste between values and reality We know that too much single-use plastic hurts the environment. We resolve to reduce our consumption. And yet our behavior often remains unchanged. This gap between knowledge, intention and action is referred to as the intention-behavior gap. This phenomenon also makes it much more difficult to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics in daily life. Although there is societal consensus regarding the problem, there is often no tangible change in people's everyday behavior. The new POLYPROBLEM report “Mind the Gap–Plastic waste between values and reality” by Röchling Foundation, the external expert Nicole Bendsen, and social impact consultancy Wider Sense investigates why this is the case. The focus is on the question of why individual behavioral change is so rarely successful - and what this reveals about the underlying political, social and psychological context. Based on current research and interviews with experts from science, civil society, and business, the report analyzes which factors shape our consumer behavior, why traditional appeals often go nowhere - and how new narratives and structures could help to overcome the intention-behavior gap. One key point is clear: It is not a lack of knowledge which prevents [...]

Circular FuturesThe Real Lab for Joint Action We all have to contribute to the development of a functioning Circular Economy: companies, start-ups, science, politics and civil society initiatives that are committed to the careful use of resources with a wide range of projects.Connecting these different groups of actors to develop collaborative solutions is the goal of the Circular Futures program of the Berlin-based social enterprise ProjectTogether.The Röchling Foundation functions as the initial sponsor of the innovation program, which is now also supported by other well-known foundations and companies. "We are certain that the transformation from linear to circular thinking and living will only succeed if innovations from the midths of society come together with business and politics. That is why we are happy to support Circular Futures as a founding partner," says Board of Trustees member Amélie Hauch. Graphic Recording Sommerfest 2022 Circular Futures Circular Futures supports mora than 100 initiatives and startups. Ten of these organizations were able to use grants to further develop and test their most promising solutions for promoting the Circular Economy in a focused way. By means of digital as well as real hands-on events such as the Circular Futures [...]

New POLYPROBLEM Report from the Röchling Foundation and Wider Sense "We need to detach ourselves from the current offset logic and overcome our propensity to find quick and simple solutions to complex global problems. The principle of “one ton in – one ton out” does not work because the plastics problem is not just an ecological and economic issue, but also a social one.” These are the words of Nobel Peace Prize winner Prof. Muhammad Yunus in his opening essay of the new POLYPROBLEM report titled "Buy Yourself Out - The Rocky Road to Plastic Neutrality." Offsetting measures still play a minor role in combating the global plastic waste crisis. This is mainly due to a non-transparent market and insufficient standardization. This is the conclusion of the latest study of the non-profit Röchling Foundation and the consultancy Wider Sense. The current report analyzes the opportunities and limitations of so-called Plastic Credits. More and more initiatives and organizations are offering such certificates for sale in order to use the proceeds to finance their activities for the collection and recycling of plastic waste - especially in developing countries. After intensive research in close cooperation with Yunus Environment Hub, the authors of the POLYPROBLEM [...]

Welche Auswirkungen hat Mikroplastik auf Meeresorganismen? Das ist die zentrale Forschungsfrage im Rahmen des Forschungs- und Ausbildungsprogramms GAME am GEOMAR Helmholz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel. 17 Studierende aus neun verschiedenen Ländern arbeiten gemeinsam daran. Die Röchling Stiftung unterstützt das Programm und war beim Auftakt in Kiel dabei.

Trotz der enormen öffentlichen Aufmerksamkeit für die fortschreitende Umweltbelastung durch Plastikabfälle ist eine globale Agenda zur Lösung des Problems nicht in Sicht. Das ist der kritische Befund eines Policy-Papers, das die Röchling Stiftung und Beyond Philanthropy jetzt gemeinsam unter dem Titel POLYPROBLEM veröffentlicht haben.