The University of Rhode Island (URI) is excited to host the NSF REU Site through the URI Plastics Initiative, a collaboration designed to tackle the escalating plastic pollution crisis locally and globally. Established in 2019, the URI Plastics Initiative: Land to Sea focuses on pioneering user-oriented research and innovative solutions to eliminate plastic pollution equitably. This initiative unites over 50 researchers from URI’s colleges of Engineering, Environmental & Life Sciences, Business, Pharmacy, and the Graduate School of Oceanography, alongside a diverse array of partners. URI’s strategic position, with 400 miles of well-researched coastline and strong public-private partnerships, provides an unparalleled environment for this REU Site.

The URI Plastics Initiative stands out for its comprehensive approach, synthesizing knowledge from diverse fields and fostering collaborations at state, national, and global levels. Notably, in May 2023, URI hosted the Global Plastics Forum, gathering over 100 stakeholders to discuss international policies, marine impacts, circular economy strategies, consumer behavior, and equity issues in plastic management. The program aims to address critical challenges posed by plastic waste, with recent studies highlighting the severity of the issue. Annually, an estimated 24 million metric tons of plastics enter oceans and freshwaters, a figure projected to double by 2030. The US lags in recycling, with only a 5% recycling rate, and exports significant amounts of plastic waste overseas.

The REU Plastics Initiative aims to explore and develop novel methods for managing locally generated plastic waste, focusing on reducing its impact on coastal environments and their communities. This interdisciplinary program assesses the societal, environmental, and economic implications of plastic pollution and seeks sustainable solutions.

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