'Beyond Plastics' is an encounter program between the City of Berlin, Germany, and the City of Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on the topic of plastic waste management. The goal of this program is to create effective transatlantic connections, especially between decision-makers in the plastics industry, to stimulate and advance plastic prevention and proper plastic waste management initiatives in society, government, and industry.

Background: 

Plastic pollution affects marine, freshwater and land ecosystems all over the world. Since 2015, the issue has also been included in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is being discussed by countries at national, subnational and supranational levels. As two strong industrialized nations, the U.S. and Germany are leading the search of possible solutions and can benefit from bilateral dialogue and cooperation.  

Webinar - 'Beyond Plastics': Managing Urban Plastic (Waste)

The webinar will highlight the international problem of urban plastic waste and how to deal with it sustainably in the community, using the example of the emerging U.S. southern metropolis of Atlanta, Georgia. City officials, local non-profits, and businesses present their goals, strategies and hurdles related to the plastic problem. A final, moderated panel discussion between the City of Atlanta and the City of Berlin will highlight initial commonalities and stimulate new thinking.  

The webinar will also serve to inform about the “Encounter Trip” of a Berlin delegation to Atlanta, Georgia, USA in April 2023, which will allow delegates to experience what has been discussed firsthand, to get to know the local representatives personally and to deepen the dialogue on the topic. Overall, the program should facilitate new networks and partnerships between the U.S. and Germany, foster bilateral cooperation between Germany and the U.S. and create an exchange on the 2022-2023 Transatlantic Program topic of “Managing Urban Plastic (Waste).” This webinar is the first module of the 2022-2023 Transatlantic Program and further modules include the “Encounter Trip” to Atlanta and then the reverse of an info Webinar for Atlantans interested in the exchange and then an “Encounter Trip” to Berlin.  

Agenda

Target Group:  

The program is aimed at all Berliners interested in advancing the dialogue on the topic of plastic waste and how to deal with it. In doing so, the international exchange with the City of Atlanta is intended to inspire new ideas on both sides of the Atlantic, shed light on existing hurdles, promote general cultural exchange and bring the issue to the attention of the general population. Possible participants would be all those who are active on the topic and would like to get involved on a community level.

For example:  

• City representatives  
• Representatives of professional associations  
• (High) school principals  
• Experts from NGOs/non-profits  
• Companies and start-ups  
• Research and lobbying  

General Information about the Transatlantic Program:  

The Transatlantic Program initiates German-American projects in fields of culture, education, science and business that are based on the guiding principle of "people-to-people encounters". The Transatlantic Program is intended to build and promote a long-term transatlantic partnership.  

The following are the key goals of the projects:  

• Conveying a comprehensive image of Germany, German culture and language  

• Promoting encounters, especially among (young) people and (young) leaders  

• Exchange of opinions on current and future-oriented topics  

• Encounters to promote economic cooperation  

The Transatlantic Program is supported by the of the Federal Republic of Germany with funds from the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK).