In recent years, plastics engineering programs at U.S. universities have seen a decline in enrollment. A key reason for this drop, according to academic leaders, is society’s growing distrust of plastics due to environmental concerns.
To overcome this challenge, some companies are changing their business models to be more sustainable and attract younger talent to the industry.
For example, Rotovia plans increase the use of recycled plastics fourfold by 2028 and move away from fossil fuel-based energy. This shift in priorities among younger generations could help revive interest in plastics engineering. The future workforce prefers working for companies with strong environmental commitments, making sustainability a key factor in attracting both employees and potentially students.
By highlighting the growing emphasis on sustainability within the industry, universities could appeal to students passionate about tackling the environmental challenges associated with plastics. Emphasizing green technologies and circular economies in their programs could reframe plastics engineering as a critical part of solving global environmental issues rather than contributing to them.
As the plastics industry evolves to meet new environmental standards, there’s hope that these changes can spark renewed interest in plastics engineering programs.
Fortunately, we also have several .earth organizations advocating for the expansion of sustainability programs in education, including:
- Curious.Earth: This organization is on a mission to empower individuals to act on climate change including writing a post on sustainability postgraduate programs and short courses to boost your career. Learn more here.
- SOS.Earth: SOS International supports student and youth groups globally to lead on sustainability and social justice. They also conducted a survey that disclosed that students are concerned about climate change and want to see this reflected in their education. Learn more here.
- GlobalSociety.Earth: Global Society World News provides the lates news, stories and progress around solutions for sustainability including an article on an advanced Sustainable Design program at the University of Edinburgh. Learn more here.
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