Memo36+Letter+of+Introduction+to+Interviewees--sferguson

Dear Brenda Platt,

My name is Sean Ferguson, I am a graduate student in Rennselaer Polytechnic's Science and Technology Studies Program. I have been working through the complexities of the developing bioplastics industry and continue to encounter the Institute for Local Self Reliance in my searches. ILSR seems to be on one of the only non-profit organizations that has a hand in advocating for biobased economies and sustainable plastics. This overlap is particular interesting to my interests in promoting sustainability through the mediation of consumer goods and waste processing technologies.

I was hoping you would find my work interesting enough to want to work with me on developing the policy landscape and visions of sustainability from an activist perspective. Your participating in the Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative and ILSR place you in a unique position compared to most individuals that I have encountered that have ties to biomaterials. I can send you any amount of material that would help you understand my position on this issue and what I hope to garner from an informal conversation with you or a more formal interview. Either experience would become part of my analysis on the interventions of activists and social movements on developing sustainable technologies.

The interview would revolve around the following themes:
 * 1) Why is it important to find alternatives to plastics?
 * Is it the petroleum that goes into the making of plastics?
 * Is it the health concerns over plastic production and seapage into foods?
 * Is it the waste issue?
 * Is it something else?
 * 1) Who has and who should influence the pathways of innovation?
 * Consumers, citizens, government agencies, free market, industry, industry associations, social scientists?
 * 1) What are the most important people, institutions and actions in the making of a bioplastic industry?
 * necessary subpoints? this really should be an open ended question...
 * 1) What complications are occurring or are likely to occur as bioplastics become more prevalent?
 * What about recycling of other things?
 * What about composting and other waste management options for bioplastics?
 * What about food?
 * What about arable land, deforestation, etc?
 * What about consumer practice?
 * 1) How are bioplastics and sustainability conceptualized?

You can contact me at any time via email, mail, or phone my contact information is below.

Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to your response.

Sean Ferguson 128 1st St. Troy, NY 12180 773-263-3721

fergus3@rpi.edu