Course: Legal instruments for managing plastics and microplastics

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Course title Legal instruments for managing plastics and microplastics
Course code VPK/UPNP
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction eLearning
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Melotíková Petra, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Factual introduction to the issue 2. Basic concepts and legal principles of legal regulation 3. Responsibility of the manufacturer, distributor, and consumer 4. Categorization of legal instruments for regulating the management of plastics and microplastics 5. Objectives of legal regulation for plastics management 6. Fundamentals of waste management 7. Plastic waste management in general 8. Plastic packaging management 9. Plastic packaging management 10. Alternatives to plastics 11. Management of other significant sources of plastic waste 12. Microplastics management

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Group work
Learning outcomes
The course prepares students to navigate the system of international, European, and Czech legal regulations concerning the management of plastics and microplastics. Basic knowledge of waste management is a prerequisite for completing the course. The aim of the course is for students to acquire knowledge about plastics management, not only from the perspective of plastic waste management, but also within the entire life cycle of a plastic product, from its design and use, which should be directed towards reducing the generation of plastic waste or facilitating its further recycling. The course will therefore focus primarily on legal instruments that contribute to reducing plastic waste, returning it to the production cycle, and limiting its release into the environment, including microplastics.
1. Understand the basic principles of sustainable waste management with a focus on the specifics of plastic and microplastic management. 2. Prepare a legal strategy supporting sustainable plastic management. 3. Analyze and correctly apply legal instruments aimed at preventing waste generation and the sustainable use of existing plastic waste. 4. Perform legal activities and provide legal advice on sustainable management of plastics and microplastics.
Prerequisites
Legal regulation of waste management VPK/UPROH
VPK/UPROH

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance, Seminar Work, Written exam

Active participation in discussions and webinars, completion of ongoing assignments, independent written work and collaboration, participation in mandatory consultations (60%), final competency test combination of knowledge and independent project work (40%)
Recommended literature
  • Bergmann, M., Gutow, L., & Klages, M. (Eds.). (2020). Marine anthropogenic litter.. Cham.
  • Feurich, K. S. (2020). Plastik als Rechtsproblem. Tübingen.
  • Kirk, E. A., Barnes, R., & van der Marel, E. R. (2024). Research handbook on plastics regulation: Law, policy and the environment.. Cheltenham.
  • Novák, A. (2022). Mikroplasty a plasty z právního pohledu. Praha.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester