Background
Plastics play a crucial role in various applications, from consumer-packaged goods to high-end industrial applications. Yet their convenience often leads to it being needlessly thrown away. How can we preserve the advantages of plastics while fostering a circular economy that retains its value over time?
The Design for Plastics Circularity Challenge 2024 serves as a platform to empower the next generation of designers and practitioners to embrace and prepare for a circular future. Organised by the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) in collaboration with Dow, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), this initiative will showcase diverse innovations that promote sustainability within the plastics industry. It is an open competition for university students to present their ideas, research, or innovations aimed at providing a circular future for plastics.
The Design for Circularity Challenge originated in Shanghai, China, initiated by Dow – a key contributor to the plastics industry. Dow recognises the importance of transformative ideas that integrate sustainability across the plastics value and supply chain, from product innovation to waste management systems.
For this Malaysia edition, participants will engage in discussions to explore the overall landscape and identify opportunities for plastics circularity. The programme also includes a Plastics Webinar, mentorship sessions, an online Youth Forum, and the grand finale – Exhibition & Awards Day.
