Designers strive for a "green profile" in their products. But can recycled plastic materials meet this goal, or is designing exclusively in wood the only path to true sustainability?

This debate will take us around the challenges designers face in their quest to create environmentally friendly products, and how they navigate the complexities of avoiding greenwashing or greenhushing.

Our panel of experts will share their experiences, perspectives, and strategies on the topics:

Overcoming greenwashing and greenhushing

Fire safety is complex. It must be an integrated part in the building design process. The use of scientific principles to understand, evaluate and critically analyse fire risks in a holistic manner is paramount.

These qualities make plastics ideal products for construction and an essential component for a sustainable built environment.

Fire safety is an important priority for the plastics industry in construction. Fire safety of buildings is seen as a national responsibility. The EU supports Member States via harmonised standards for testing, classifying and declaring the performance of products used in buildings.

This has been done under company brands or national association guidelines. On July 5th we take EPS recycling to the next level and launch the pan-European brand EPS Cycle.

EPS Cycle is a pan European take back system, that describes how used EPS can effectively be taken back for use in the production of new EPS materials. As such it is a mark of commitment to the circular economy for both the companies and the national associations associated with EPS Cycle.

The growing number of certification and labeling schemes in the industry is vital for ensuring consistent and qualified choices of sustainable solutions. However, challenges remain in providing buyers with a comprehensive understanding of the sustainability footprint of products. It can be difficult to navigate the choices between plastic and other materials or different types of plastics. It's like mixing up pears and bananas.

Many countries across the globe have set ambitious goals to transition to a fossil-free society in the coming years. But as we navigate this transition, we have to ask the question: What measures should we take to effectively address the issue of plastics? We also need to consider the impact and significance of plastic products in the future – and which materials we should use in the production of them.

You're invited to Living Places Copenhagen on Earth Day - April 22, 2023 experience a new sustainable approach building homes that benefits both people and the planet.

We will host new meetings, bridging across the usual disciplines, borders and identities and among others examine architecture in relation to climate adaptation, inclusion and community. Over two and a half weeks in June and July 2023, we will offer a wide range of public events such as film screenings, debates, studio visits, city walks, performances, exhibitions, workshops, seminars, etc. This year, we are inspired by the UN agenda of Sustainable Futures: Leave No One Behind agenda and how it plays out in the city's built and grown environment.