Centrale Nantes invited to a scientific round table with members of parliament

The Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Choices, a joint body of the French National Assembly and Senate, is currently looking into plastic pollution. Within this framework, Mr Philippe Bolo, MP for Maine et Loire, and Mrs Angèle Préville, Senator for Lot, were appointed rapporteurs.

Mr. Philippe Bolo and Mrs. Angèle Préville invited Jean-Marc Benguigui, Head of the Engineering for Ecological Transition option, and Bertrand Huneau, of the GeM Laboratory and faculty member at Centrale Nantes, to take part in a scientific round table.

Jean-Marc Benguigui was thus able to shed light on the importance of training young engineers in eco-design and life cycle analysis, in particular by integrating specific courses on environmental assessment approaches and tools.

Bertrand Huneau gave a presentation entitled "Plastic recycling: false truths and limits". He reminded the audience that plastics deteriorate during recycling, and therefore can be recycled at best only a few times, and in most cases products are downcycled (the product obtained is of lower quality). He also highlighted the limits of recycling in a context of increasing production.

A fruitful meeting and a great opportunity for dialogue between scientists and politicians.