Life after single use: let us talk about packaging
Explore why single-use packaging persists and how behaviour, design and policy can drive a shift toward lasting reuse solutions.
Key Information:
- Date and time
- Fri 07 November 2025
10:00 - 11:30 - Location
- 1N005, N block, Frenchay Campus, Further info
- Contact
- Sustainability Team sustainability@uwe.ac.uk
- Cost
- Free
- Attendance
- Booking required
Description
Every year, the UK throws away over six billion single-use packaging items, with around a million pieces discarded each month in Bristol alone.
Why is it still so hard to break the habit?
This expert panel brings together James Piper, co-host of the Talking rubbish podcast and winner of Resource Media Top 100 Communicator of the Year, alongside UWE Bristol's own experts Dr Sarah Hills and Dr Ben Williams, and Toby Blewett, Students' Union Sustainability Coordinator, as well as students to explore the psychology, behaviour and systemic barriers behind our dependence on disposable packaging.
Together, they'll unpack the social, economic and design challenges that make single-use so persistent, and the potential solutions paving the way for a circular, reusable future. Through real-world examples and audience discussion, we’ll ask what it really takes to shift habits, change systems and make reuse the new normal.
This panel has been currated by UWE Bristol's students and forms part of events being offered as part of Green Week.
Registration and tickets
- Cost: Free
- Attendance: Booking required
Travel
Please note that parking is limited. If you do require parking and have no permit, please provide your car registration at the event registration checkout.