From Guest Blogger Dixie Somers: How Scientists Are Reducing Environmental Waste

Scientists and the public have come a long way in terms of protecting the environment, and scientists continue to search for ways to make our existence on this planet more green every day. But what exactly are they doing? What new technologies, movements within their own field and educational tools are scientists using to reduce environmental waste? Let’s go over a few of them.

Developing New Technologies

Scientists continue to develop new technologies that reduce environmental waste and pollution. Good examples include continuing to improve hybrid and electric car technology and the development of better filtration and protection systems that prevent waste from being released into the air, water or soil. They are also looking into technology that can capture and store carbon dioxide to combat the rising levels in Earth’s atmosphere.

Reducing Use

Scientists are not only encouraging the public to cut down on waste—they are doing so in their own labs as well. Labs account for an estimated 1.8 percent of total global plastic consumption, and there is a growing movement to reduce that usage. So whether you’re a seasoned laboratory technician or you just finished your medical technologist online program, be aware that scientists and laboratories, too, have a responsibility to reduce use, and if you can, join movements to do your part.

Creating More Efficient Recycling

Scientists have continued to make it more cost effective and energy-efficient to recycle, as well as expand the number of substances that can be recycled. The number on recyclable products actually corresponds to what kind of plastic it is and indicates how difficult that plastic is to break down and recycle—the higher the number, the harder it is. Both creating methods and putting them into wide use for difficult-to-recycle materials, like Styrofoam, took longer than regular plastic, but scientists kept at it, and will continue to look for ways to recycle other forms of waste that are not currently possible.

Educating the Public

Scientists work with many organizations, as well as establish themselves as popular culture figures (such as Bill Nye and Neil deGrasse Tyson), to continue to inform the public about the need to reduce waste and protect the environment. Without this outreach, massive campaigns that brought recycling and picking up discarded trash to the attention of the public would never have come about. Currently, scientists continue to visit schools, speak at colleges and museums and write books to inform the public of important environmental issues of which they need to be aware.

Scientists continue to work tirelessly to reduce environmental waste and lead the eco-friendly movement. With their efforts, and the cooperation of everyone else, hopefully our planet will remain habitable, clean and beautiful for many, many centuries to come.