The third edition of the interdisciplinary conference “Plastics and the Environment,” organized by the University of Milan-Bicocca and POLARIS Research Centre, builds on previous workshops held in Ravenna by the University of Bologna. It brings together experts to address key challenges related to environmental and socioeconomic sustainability, as well as the health implications of the “world of plastics.” Involving scientists from various disciplines, spanning chemical, biological, physical, social, and economic sciences, the conference will explore the monitoring and characterization of micro- and nanoplastics, their effects on ecosystems and human health, socio-cultural and educational strategies toward zero waste, the development of safe and sustainable materials, as well as degradation and mitigation approaches within the circular economy and the bioeconomy. The ultimate goal is to update on the cutting edge of various research fields while also promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration to better address innovation and sustainability.
Date: June 4-5, 2026
Venue: Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Aula Magna (Ed. U6), Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1.
Discover the scientific sessions and don’t miss all the useful information for participating in our conference.
Session 2 – Ecotoxicological and environmental impacts of plastics: emerging evidences and future challenges
Session 3 – Human exposure and adverse health effects of micro and nano plastics: unravelling the mysteries behind these ubiquitous threats.
Session 4 – Promoting Safe and Sustainable by Design, circularity and bioeconomy in polymers innovation
Session 5 – Climate-neutral cities and plastic. Rethinking practices, governance and politics for urban and environmental health
Organizing Committee
University of Milano-Bicocca, POLARIS Research Centre
Rossella Bengalli, Monica Bernardi, Paola Branduardi, Matteo Colleoni, Maddalena Collini, Mariaclaudia Cusumano, Maurizio Gualtieri, Alessandra Lama, Paride Mantecca, Valeria Mapelli, Riccardo Milanesi, Giulio Sancini, Giulia Terribile.
Scientific Committe
University of Milano-Bicocca: Paride Mantecca, Maurizio Gualtieri, Luca Ferrero, Francesco Saliu, Veronica Nava, Paola Branduardi, Immacolata Serra, Maddalena Collini, Giulio Sancini Monica Bernardi, Matteo Colleoni
University of Bologna: Elena Fabbri, Paola Valbonesi, Chiara Samorì, Andrea Facchin, Paola Galletti, Alessandra Landi
University of Milano: Marco Parolini, Lavinia Casati
Istituto di Ricerca Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCSS: Paolo Bigini
For info please contact us at: polaris@unimib.it
For info about registration and abstract submission please visit the website of the conference: https://eventi.unibo.it/workshop-plastiche-ambiente