EcoPlastiC at the European Researchers’ Night 2024

The European Researchers' Night is the largest science outreach public event that celebrates science across Europe every year. Universities and research institutes across Europe opened their doors and shared their work through presentations, experiments, games, discussions and other interactive formats. In 2024, the event took place in 25 countries, counting more than 1.5 million visitors and our partners from Portugal (NOVA) and Serbia (IMGGE) took part.

In Lisbon, the team from the Biochemical Engineering Group from the NOVA School of Science and Technology presented the EcoPlastiC project as part of the exhibition “Bioeconomy in action: transforming wastes into valuable products”. The visitors loved their exhibition booth and our project was presented by Cristiana A.V. Torres, Patricia Concordio dos Reis and Maria Batista:

Have you ever thought about all the "waste" that is generated daily on our planet? However, some of these discarded products can be turned into valuable items. This is called the Circular Bioeconomy. To achieve this, we can rely on the help of microorganisms to transform these residues into products like biopolymers, bioplastics, biofuels and biofertilisers. These products are valuable because they help to solve environmental problems and contribute to a sustainable future. By visiting our activity, you will be able to see examples of these products, learn about the production process, and participate in a hands-on activity where biopolymer spheres, emulsions, and more will be made. Come explore, learn, and get hands-on with us! Together, we can make a difference and promote a more sustainable world. We look forward to see you!

In Belgrade, the team from the Eco-Biotechnology and Drug Development Group from the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering presented the EcoPlastiC project as part of the exhibition “EcoPlastiC - Discovering the future of plastics”. The visitors of all ages truly enjoyed the project presentation and actively interacted with Vukasin Jankovic, Ivana Aleksic and Lena Pantelic:

Have you ever thought about how plastic can be sustainable?
Have you already had the opportunity to explore concepts such as plastic recycling, the production and application of bioplastics, as well as the role of microorganisms in the process of breaking down plastic waste? If you are, or even if you are not, "EcoPlastiC" is here to bring you these exciting principles. Through a series of interactive activities, we will reveal details about mechanical processing of plastic waste, biological treatment of plastics, toxicity research of different molecules and bioplastic production techniques. Our goal is to inspire you and encourage you to think about plastic as the material of the future. And then... the direction under the microscope! We will breathe life into this concept with the help of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans and explore bioplastics as an amazing material.

We invite you to join us and learn together how science can transform the way we look at plastic and its impact on the environment!

A few days before the ERN in Serbia, Brana Pantelic (IMGGE) was invited to additionally present the EcoPlastiC project in a series of lectures in Belgrade on very current and socially useful topics and delivered an inspiring lecture “EcoPlastiC project - from plastic waste to sustainable biopolymers”: