Original post: EurekAlert! (April 17, 2024)

Prof. Yong Sik Ok, a Highly Cited Researcher from Korea University and the Chair and Program Director of the APRU SWM Program is a recognized name in the field of sustainable plastic management. His work is focused on addressing the plastic menace through innovative research and informed policy recommendations. He also frequently collaborates with international researchers, corporate enterprises, and policymakers. His extensive work includes studying biodegradable plastics, addressing soil microplastic pollution, and promoting ESG principles.

With the accelerating pace at which plastic pollution is growing worldwide, researchers from across the globe are working diligently towards mitigating this crisis with innovative sustainable solutions. Prof. Yong Sik Ok is one such scientist who is spearheading initiatives for combating plastic pollution through novel approaches with the aim of ensuring a sustainable future for the next generation. Prof. Ok is a Highly Cited Researcher from Korea University. He is also the Chair and Program Director of the APRU (Association of Pacific Rim Universities) Sustainable Waste Management (APRU SWM) Program. Under Prof. Ok’s incomparable leadership, the APRU SWM Program has consistently focused on research and policy recommendations to address critical plastic waste challenges in Korea and worldwide.

In the 21st century, plastic pollution has emerged as a global concern for both the environment and development, demanding urgent attention in order to effectively achieve United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and meet the principles of ESG (environmental, social, and governance). As the ESG framework gains prominence in evaluating and expanding industry sustainability, there is a growing need for global industries to prioritize environmentally friendly products. Undertaking this responsibility, Prof. Ok leads key research initiatives and supports the development of practical strategies to mitigate the plastic crisis and encourage industries to shift towards more sustainable materials, products, and processes. “Strategically addressing plastic pollution within the framework of ESG principles and corporate sustainability initiatives enables us to take significant strides towards realizing the UN SDGs,” notes Prof. Ok.

In fact, several of Prof. Ok’s research and application-based initiatives have also gained widespread recognition and have been published in prestigious journals. Many of his valuable insights have also been featured in renowned journals such as Science, which highlighted the necessity for “sustainable plastic management” and Nature, which released a special collection of articles on “Plastic in the Environment” featuring Prof. Ok’s research.

Digging into soil management

Prof. Ok’s extensive work also focuses on sustainable soil management with the aim of addressing the issue of microplastic pollution in soils and improving food production so as to equitably feed the world’s burgeoning population. In a special issue by the Nature journal, titled “Soils in Food Systems”, Prof. Ok emphasized the crucial role of soil resources in realizing this mission. Additionally, through another pioneering endeavor, Prof. Ok and his research team demonstrated that biochar can effectively remediate soils that are contaminated with microplastics. “Through our investigations, we’ve provided compelling evidence that biochar holds promise in effectively addressing soil pollution caused by microplastics, thereby expanding the boundaries of knowledge in this field and contributing towards more informed policy developments,” elaborates Prof. Ok about the implications of this research finding.

Examining the sustainability of biodegradable plastics

In addition to this, the international community in recent years has been negotiating an environmental governance framework to address the global plastic problem, with an emphasis on embracing reusable, biodegradable, and compostable plastics as a sustainable alternative to conventional, non-decomposable, petroleum-based plastics. This has led to a rapid expansion of the biodegradable plastics market, with major industry players such as BASF (Germany), Novamont (Italy), LG Chem (Korea), SK GeoCentric (Korea), and CJ Cheiljedang (Korea) increasing their biodegradable plastic products manufacturing. To ensure that these biodegradable plastics don’t merely serve as greenwashing, scientific research and data is urgently needed to validate their sustainability and degradability in natural soils without adverse impacts on the soil environment.

To address this need, Prof. Ok has collaborated with Prof. Sung Yeon Hwang of Kyung Hee University to assess the sustainability of biodegradable plastics in soils through large-scale field experiments and laboratory-based research. Their first outcome, accepted on March 20, 2024 in Soil Use and Management, a journal by the British Society of Soil Science, revealed the degradation rates of biodegradable plastics in soils and their impact on soil properties. This critical research sheds light on how soil biochemical properties are altered due to the degradation of biodegradable plastics under realistic conditions. “Agricultural soils must provide suitable conditions for the degradation of biodegradable plastics, such as mulch films. Post-biodegradation, the residual end products should ideally be CO₂, water, and biomass. This contributes to the reduction of persistent microplastics in agricultural soils and is essential for sustainable agriculture,” explains Amasha Withana, secretary of the APRU SWM Program and a member of Prof. Ok’s research team.

Addressing the plastic problem through collective action

Prof. Ok’s groundbreaking research and leadership in combating plastic pollution through sustainable solutions, is further exemplified in his work with the APRU SWM Program and his collaborations with other esteemed researchers from international organizations. These research associations underscore the urgent need for collective action to address this global crisis. By championing innovative approaches, advocating for policy changes, and engaging with industry stakeholders, Prof. Ok’s efforts pave the way for a more sustainable world, where environmental stewardship and responsible resource management are paramount.

Researcher extraordinaire

Prof. Ok and his team’s exemplary research work have yielded a remarkable portfolio that includes a series of influential publications, each addressing critical issues on plastic pollution, soil resources, and the sustainable management of plastic through innovative solutions. Some of these publications are mentioned below:

1. “Effects of biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and poly(lactic acid) plastic degradation on soil ecosystems”, published in Soil Use And Management (2024, DOI: 10.1111/sum.13055).

The findings of this study reveal the impact of biodegradable plastic degradation on soil properties and their degradation rate in soils.

2. “The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates a shift to a plastic circular economy”, featured in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment (2021, DOI: 1038/s43017-021-00223-2). This article underscores the urgency of transitioning to a plastic circular economy in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. “COVID-19’s unsustainable waste management”, published in Science (2020, DOI: 1126/science.abc7778).

This publication underscores the unsustainable plastic waste management in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. “Metal contamination and bioremediation of agricultural soils for food safety and sustainability”, featured in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment (2020, DOI: 1038/s43017-020-0061-y).

This article discusses biogeochemical processes, such as mine tailings runoff and atmospheric deposition, and highlights the potential of plant-based and microbial bioremediation as promising, sustainable remediation approaches to mitigate soil contamination in agricultural areas.

It is undeniable that Prof. Ok, along with his collaborators, continue to push boundaries with their innovative research initiatives. Not only are they leveraging their combined efforts to advance scientific knowledge, they are also paving the way for practical solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time and in the process helping shape a more sustainable future for the world.

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About APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program

As a network of leading universities linking the Americas, Asia, and Australasia, APRU (the Association of Pacific Rim Universities) brings together thought leaders, researchers, and policy-makers to exchange ideas and collaborate toward practical solutions to combat the challenges of the 21st century. The APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program focuses on adopting environmentally friendly practices to manage waste effectively while minimizing its negative impacts on the environment and human health. It involves various strategies and approaches to reduce, reuse, recycle, and properly dispose of waste materials together with ESG concepts. Prof. Yong Sik Ok at Korea University serves as the Chair and Program Director of the program, co-directed by Prof. William Mitch at Stanford University. For more information, visit APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program’s website.

About Professor Yong Sik Ok

Professor Yong Sik Ok is a KU HCR Professor. He is the Chair and Program Director of the Sustainable Waste Management Program for the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) and the President of the International ESG Association and the International Society of Trace Element Biogeochemistry. He maintains a worldwide professional network by serving as the Editor-in-Chief of CleanMat (Wiley Open Access) and the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology (CREST, five-year IF:13.6) at Taylor and Francis. Moreover, Prof. Ok has hosted many conferences and forums focusing on Sustainability, UN SDGs, and ESG. The recently concluded 6th Global Conference on ESG Management & Sustainability marked another milestone in Prof. Ok’s ongoing journey toward achieving sustainability and ESG goals together with Prof. Jay Hyuk Rhee (President, KU ESG Research Institute & President, International ESG Association) at Korea University Business School. Importantly, Prof. Ok will chair the 4th Australian Circular Economy Conference, scheduled to take place in Sydney, Australia, in October 2024, together with Prof. Ali Abbas, Director, Waste Transformation Research Hub and the Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney.

Media contact:

Prof. Yong Sik Ok

Korea University and APRU Sustainable Waste Management (APRU SWM) Program

Email: [email protected]