CoLab & Hackathon: Microplastics, Risks and Plastic Waste Management

CoLab: Health and Environmental Aspects of Plastic Use: The Problem of Microplastics. 

Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa (JDU) is organising a CoLab and Hackathon, which will take place in Czestochowa, Poland. 

Date: May 25, 2026 — May 27, 2026

Topic: Green Transition

Venue: Asten Group, Bór Str. 77/81, Czestochowa, Poland

Event type: Hybrid (On-site and Online) 

Status: Open for application 

The aim of the CoLab “Health and Environmental Aspects of Plastic Use: The Problem of Microplastics” is to conduct an interdisciplinary analysis of the challenges and problems facing modern civilization related to the negative impact of plastic waste, including microplastics. Plastics/microplastics ubiquity, caused by overproduction or improper waste management, is becoming a serious threat to the environment and the health of living organisms, including humans. Everyday products made from classic polymers such as PE, PP, PET, and PS, which unfortunately are resistant to environmental degradation, constitute a particular source of pollution, and their management should be a key challenge for modern civilization. The analysis will cover the prevalence and consequences of the impact on the natural environment and human health, particularly of microplastics, taking into account the challenges facing public administration institutions at the central and local levels, as well as individuals, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities. The scale of pollution from conventional plastics underscores the role of bioplastics and products made from biodegradable polymers as alternatives to non-degradable plastics.

The importance of environmental education will be one of CoLab’s main themes. Undoubtedly, CoLab’s goal is to foster interdisciplinary reflection on current challenges related to the environmental and health impacts resulting from excessive plastic waste, including microplastics. The expert panel will serve as a space for exchanging knowledge and experiences, presenting best practices, and engaging in dialogue with key institutions influencing efforts to prevent plastic pollution in the broadest sense, both in Poland and across Europe.

Furthermore, the collaboration initiated with representatives from various fields—including practitioners and theorists, policymakers, representatives of non-governmental organizations and educational institutions, as well as experts and scientists from diverse disciplines such as Earth and environmental sciences, chemistry, biology, medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, and law, as well as industry, will create a unique space for the exchange of knowledge and experience. This may lead to new proposals for legislative changes aimed at improving plastic waste management.

Who is this event for?

The event is aimed at all researchers, students, and staff at universities that are partners in the COLOURS project, as well as all individuals from civil society organizations (including associations and foundations), business, politics, and public administration in the COLOURS partner regions who are involved in this topic and would like to establish contact with European partners in this field.

Please note: Registration is mandatory for all participants (on-site and online) via the following link: Registration form

Registration deadline: May 11, 2026

The event will be held in Polish with simultaneous English interpretation.

Plenary sessions and selected workshops and the expert panel will be streamed live (with English translation).

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Hackathon: Awareness enhancement of the risks associated with the improper management of plastics. 

Date: May 25, 2026 — May 27, 2026

Topic: Green Transition

Venue: Asten Group, Bór Str. 77/81, Czestochowa, Poland

Event type: Hybrid

Budget: 2 500 €

Registration deadline: May 11, 2026

Who can participate?

The interdisciplinary nature of the topic ensures that students from various academic backgrounds (fields: biology, chemistry, medicine, law, administration, biotechnology, computer science, and others) will be able to make valuable contributions.

• Undergraduate and graduate students from Jan Dlugosz University in Częstochowa,
• International undergraduate and graduate students from partner universities of the COLOURS alliance.
  

The “Awareness Enhancement of the Risks Associated with the Improper Management of Plastics” hackathon is a three-day (Phase 1: Dream it, Phases 2 and 3: Make it, Test it, Phase 4: Share it) event dedicated to developing innovative solutions, communication strategies, and technological tools aimed at combating plastic pollution by raising public awareness of the risks associated with improper plastic management.

By bringing together students, industry experts, and mentors, the hackathon serves as a dynamic platform for creating practical and sustainable solutions to real-world business challenges.

The “Awareness Enhancement of the Risks Associated with the Improper Management of Plastics” hackathon is a three-day event dedicated to developing innovative solutions, communication strategies, and technological tools aimed at combating plastic pollution by raising public awareness of the risks associated with improper plastic management.

The hackathon aims to bring together students from various fields of study, experts from the socio-economic sector, and mentors to create a dynamic platform for developing practical and sustainable solutions for the alliance’s community.

Participants will work in teams to create solutions that address the challenges posed by the organizers and regional entrepreneurs.  

Please note: Registration is mandatory for all participants via the following link: Registration form

Agenda: 

Day 1

Opening session and introduction
Masterclass with an experts from Quadruple Helix. Tutoring. Challenge and inspiration. 
Consultations with mentors.
Team creation and searching inspiration.

Day 2

Teamwork on developing solutions.
Exchange of experiences.
Knowledge exchange with experts/mentors.
Concept validation and preparation for presentation.

Day 3

Presentations of final solutions.
Jury evaluation.
Award ceremony.