Tag Archives: waste

New Research Uncovers How Reptiles Excrete Crystalline Waste in Large Quantities

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Both avian and non-avian reptiles eliminate excess nitrogen as solid compounds known as “urate,” an evolutionary trait that aids in water conservation. Despite this adaptation, numerous questions regarding the composition, structure, and assembly of these biological materials remain unresolved. In a recent study, researchers from Georgetown University, the International Diffraction Data Center, Chiricahua Desert Museum, and Georgia State University investigated uric acid excretion in the desert. They focused on the ball python (python) along with 20 other reptile species, aiming to uncover efficient and versatile mechanisms for processing both nitrogenous waste and salts.

Thornton et al. investigated the solid urine of over 20 reptile species. Image credit: Thornton et al., doi: 10.1021/jacs.5c10139.

“All living organisms possess some form of excretory system. After all, what enters must eventually exit,” says the chemist from Georgetown University, Jennifer Swift, along with her colleagues.

“In humans, we eliminate excess nitrogen primarily through urine in the forms of urea, uric acid, and ammonia.”

“Conversely, many reptiles and birds efficiently package these nitrogenous compounds into solids, specifically urates, which are excreted through their cloaca.”

Scientists theorize that this process may have evolved to aid in water conservation.

“While crystallizing waste fluids may provide an evolutionary benefit for reptiles, it poses significant challenges for humans,” the researchers noted.

“Excess uric acid in the human body can crystallize in the joints, leading to painful conditions like gout, or form kidney stones in the urinary tract.”

In this recent study, the authors examined urate from over 20 reptile species to understand how these animals safely eliminate crystalline waste.

“Our research stems from a curiosity about how reptiles safely process this substance, and we hope it could inform new approaches to disease prevention and treatment,” Dr. Swift commented.

Microscopic analyses revealed that three species—the ball python, Angora python, and Madagascar tree boa—produce urate consisting of microscopically textured microspheres ranging from 1 to 10 micrometers in diameter.

X-ray examinations indicated that these spheres are comprised of even smaller nanocrystals of uric acid and water.

Furthermore, scientists have found that uric acid plays a crucial role in transforming ammonia into a less harmful solid state.

They hypothesize that uric acid may serve a similar protective function in humans.

“Our investigation of urate produced by various squamate reptiles sheds light on the sophisticated and adaptable systems they employ for managing nitrogenous wastes and salts,” the researchers stated.

“Understanding how dietary habits, environmental conditions, and aging impact sample analysis—along with advancements in instrumentation—offers a more comprehensive insight into the structure and function of biological urates.”

“The specifics of where and how these microspheres are created remain an intriguing question, yet their presence across different uric acid globule species suggests that this low-energy process is optimized under similar selective pressures.”

“Recognizing the role of uric acid in ammonia management could have significant implications for human health, although clinical research is required to verify this hypothesis.”

For further information, refer to the findings published today in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

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Alyssa M. Thornton et al. Uric acid monohydrate nanocrystals: an adaptable platform for nitrogen and salinity management in reptiles. J. Am. Chemistry Society published online October 22, 2025. doi: 10.1021/jacs.5c10139

Source: www.sci.news

Why Tech Startups Aim to Send Your Waste Deep Underground

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Tanks for disposal at a Kansas site where waste is funneled into underground salt caves

Vaulted Deep

A startup named Vaulted Deep has partnered with Microsoft to pump millions of tons of treated human waste, fertilizer, and various organic waste deep underground as a method to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. This strategy also mitigates soil contamination from PFAs and other chemical pollutants that can leach from waste.

“We aim to tackle both challenges simultaneously,” Omar Abu Sei stated. “We address the waste issues that compromise local water, air, and land while also contributing to climate solutions.”

In recent years, the Texas-based startup has injected almost 70,000 tons of carbon-rich waste underground, successfully removing over 18,000 tons of carbon dioxide. The technology used is derived from the oil and gas industry, enabling the injection of a slurry comprising liquid, solid, and gas simultaneously. This type of waste typically ends up in landfills or is spread over agricultural fields.

According to Abou-Sayed, if waste is injected at depth, it will eventually release back into the atmosphere, which could potentially liberate millions of tons of carbon. The company capitalizes on this by selling each ton of CO2 removed to businesses or governmental entities.

The contract with Microsoft targets the removal of 4.9 million tons of CO2 over the next 12 years, addressing challenges in the carbon removal sector that attract customers. Microsoft aims to be carbon negative by 2030 and has purchased more carbon removal credits than any other organization.

Abou-Sayed mentions that this agreement will enable Vaulted Deep to identify new injection sites beyond its existing two locations. One site injects “biosolids” remaining from treated wastewater approximately 1,600 meters below the surface in Los Angeles, while the second site in Hutchinson, Kansas, pumps human waste, fertilizer, and organic materials like paper sludge into salt caverns located hundreds of meters underground.

According to one report, the global production of organic waste is substantial enough to facilitate this process and potentially eliminate up to 5 billion tons of CO2 annually.

Vaulted Deep’s mission is to ensure that the maximum amount of waste can be accessed, particularly targeting wet solid slurries that have limited disposal options. “We have developed expertise in identifying where these smooth waste materials can be found,” explains Abou-Sayed. Often, they offer to manage waste disposal at no cost or even provide payment to waste generators.

This system facilitates underground waste injection.

Vaulted Deep

With high concentrations of nitrogen and PFAs found in waste, storing waste underground instead of spreading it on fields or sending it to landfills can significantly lower surface contamination levels. Many municipalities have faced challenges in finding conventional disposal methods due to stricter PFAs pollution regulations.

“This is a highly innovative approach,” commented Diana Oviedo Valgas from the Stroudwater Research Center in Pennsylvania. “We need diverse strategies to address contaminants, not just PFAs.” However, she emphasizes that injecting waste underground does not eliminate contaminants. “It’s somewhat concealed,” she adds.

To ensure safety during the injection process, Abou-Sayed noted that all sites will undergo a thorough permitting procedure managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This is necessary to demonstrate that leaks from the storage area into groundwater or backflow from the well won’t occur, and to reduce the risk of induced seismic activity during the injection.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Common Gut Bacteria Can Transform Everyday Plastic Waste into Paracetamol

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Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is a pain reliever traditionally produced from a diminished supply of fossil fuels, such as crude oil. Every year, thousands of tons of fossil fuels, alongside numerous drugs and chemicals, are utilized to transport painkillers to manufacturing facilities. Professor Stephen Wallace from the University of Edinburgh and his team discovered that E. coli bacteria can transform molecules derived from waste plastic bottles into paracetamol.

Johnson et al. Reporting the reorganization of phosphate-catalyzed loss of biocompatibility in bacteria E. coli Activated acylhydroxamate is transformed into primary amine-containing metabolites in living cells. Image credit: Johnson et al. , doi: 10.1038/s41557-025-01845-5.

The issue of plastic waste is increasingly pressing, making the quest for sustainable plastic upcycling solutions a priority.

Metabolic engineering combines organic chemistry with the exploitation of biological cell chemical reaction networks to create new small molecules.

However, it remains uncertain whether these reactions can be effectively combined to convert plastics into useful products.

“Our research indicates that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic is not merely waste, but can be converted by microorganisms into valuable new products with potential applications in disease treatment,” stated Professor Wallace.

In their study, Professor Wallace and co-authors found that a specific type of chemical reaction, known as loss rearrangement, occurs within living cells and is catalyzed by internal phosphates in E. coli.

This reaction produces nitrogen-containing organic compounds that are vital for cellular metabolism.

The researchers demonstrated that chemical processes can decompose PET plastic to yield starting molecules for further reactions, allowing cellular metabolism to regenerate these plastic-derived molecules.

Additionally, they discovered that this plastic-derived compound can serve as a precursor for paracetamol production in E. coli, achieving a yield of 92%.

This finding may mark the first instance of paracetamol synthesized from E. coli waste materials.

Future research will focus on exploring how other bacteria and types of plastics can yield beneficial products.

“Thus, biocompatible chemistry should be viewed as a complement to early enzyme design research and non-biological chemistry engineering, integrating collaboratively as a tool for biological cells to enhance potential synthetic chemistry within biological systems,” the scientists noted.

The team’s study was published in the journal Nature Chemistry on June 23, 2025.

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NW Johnson et al. Relocation of loss of biocompatibility in E. coli. Nat. Chem. Published online on June 23, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41557-025-01845-5

Source: www.sci.news

Affordable Yet Unsustainable: The Growing Waste Crisis of Fast Tech

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It’s affordable, frequently subpar, and often ends up stuffed in a bottle or hidden among other miscellaneous items, takeout menus, and birthday candles in kitchen drawers.

Referred to as “First Technology,” these budget-friendly electronic gadgets are becoming more prevalent, ranging from mini fans and electric toothbrushes to portable chargers and LED toilet seats.

However, there is a significant issue lurking behind these low prices. Many of these gadgets are challenging to repair, lack recycling options, and are often discarded rapidly. E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, and experts indicate that rapid technology advancement plays an increasingly crucial role.

In the UK, over 11.4 billion of these small electronic devices (including steam gadgets) are purchased annually, with nearly half (589m) disposed of simultaneously.


“We’ve been consuming fast food. There was fast fashion. Now we’re in the era of fast technology,” states Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus. “We’re not technological moralists, but our concern lies with the volume of low-quality, cheap, and flimsy products flooding the market, which ultimately ends up in the trash or unused.”

Studies reveal that over a third of the British population views their purchases as disposable, primarily due to low prices, according to Butler. “[It] may be inexpensive, but it’s not disposable. In reality, anything that plugs in, runs on batteries, or has a cable is far from garbage. These items are rich in valuable metals and can be reused,” he adds.

Butler highlights “FAD” first technology as a key issue, often involving cheap items bought for specific occasions, like mini fans during the UK’s warmer months or festive Christmas jumpers. Last year, around 7.1 million mini fans were sold in the UK, with over 3.5 million being discarded or forgotten in drawers afterwards.

“We just experienced a heat wave, and I’m certain mini fan sales surged during that time. While it’s perfectly fine to try and cool down, we’re missing out on the potential for longer-lasting alternatives that can be beneficial beyond the summer,” he noted.

Environmental scientist and advocate Laura Young states that Fast Tech poses a new kind of environmental threat, not just due to the toxic chemicals some devices may contain but also because of their sheer volume and disposability.

“We’ve never encountered this level of disposable technology before,” she remarks. “Many people may not even realize that these small devices contain electronic components.

Many users are unaware that e-vapor products contain batteries. Photo: Bennphoto/Shutterstock

“Many users of steam products have asked, ‘Is there a battery in there?’

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“All electronics, including toasters, kettles, washing machines, laptops, iPads, and mobile phones, all feature either wall power or rechargeable options. There is no such thing as disposable technology.

While it’s unlikely that the prevalence of fast technology in the market will soon wane, Butler emphasizes the need to shift our mindset. “Ultimately, these items are available because people purchase them. If there’s no demand, they obviously won’t be on the shelves.”

“Be a bit more thoughtful about what you choose to buy, how you utilize it, and what happens when you no longer need it. Don’t toss it just because it’s broken,” he advises. Use the online locator to find your nearest recycling center.

There’s also a drive for better repair, reuse, and borrowing options. Young points out community initiatives like repair cafes and tool libraries, where equipment can be borrowed instead of purchased anew.

“I joined the Tools Library and no longer purchase DIY tools.” Adapting to fast technology requires “a different mindset,” as she puts it, moving away from the notion of needing to own everything.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Study Suggests Vegetarians React to Eating Meat as They Would to Consuming Waste

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Vegetarians have a similar reaction to meat as they do to eating feces or human flesh, according to recent research from Oxford University.

A study involving 252 vegetarians and 57 meat eaters examined whether this aversion was influenced by the source of the food being plant or animal-based.

Initially, participants were shown a range of vegetables commonly disliked, including raw onions, green olives, sprouts, beetroot, and overripe fruit, and were asked to envision eating them. Both groups expressed “disgust” towards these vegetables. Essentially, the flavors and textures were perceived negatively.

Next, participants looked at pre-cooked chicken, bacon, and steak. Here, the vegetarians reacted quite differently. They experienced feelings of nausea, voiced ideological objections, and stated they found anything that had been in contact with meat unappealing.

All the meat is clean and cooked.

The reactions of aversion were similar to those elicited when participants were asked to imagine consuming human feces or the flesh of humans or dogs (the meat was actually just plain meat labeled accordingly—no harm came to any dogs, although a few humans faced bad treatment).

“Disgust is an ancient evolutionary mechanism observed in various species and acts as a straightforward response to ‘bad’ preferences, primarily linked to bitter and sour tastes,” stated Elisa Becker, the lead researcher from Oxford University, in an interview with BBC Science Focus.

“Aversion, in contrast, is likely a uniquely human response stemming from more complex thoughts about food and its meanings.”

The distinction between these reactions may lie in evolutionary history. Aversion enabled early humans to avoid toxic plants with unpleasant flavors, while disgust developed as a more sophisticated reaction to the unseen risks associated with meat, which can harbor pathogens and parasites.

“Disgust does not arise solely from taste but is triggered by animal products, including meat and our own bodily substances. These are prime carriers for pathogens,” Becker explained. “The purpose of disgust is to protect us from toxins and diseases.”

This insight may assist initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable diets by altering perceptions of certain foods.

“It could be beneficial for people seeking to reduce their meat consumption or increase vegetable intake,” Becker remarked. “Novel, more sustainable protein sources (like insects or lab-grown meat) can often invoke disgust. Understanding this instinct can help us overcome it.”

About our experts

Elisa Becker is a postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Primary Care Health Sciences at Oxford University. She investigates behavioral change interventions that assist individuals in reducing meat consumption, focusing on the emotional processing of meat and the effectiveness of various strategies.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Billions of Cicadas Have Emerged Across the U.S. Could Their Waste Be a Concern?

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Here’s a question you might want to skip while enjoying a meal: Which animal has the fastest urine stream in the world? Is it the elephant? The lion? Perhaps the horse?

Interestingly, as revealed in a journal study Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the unexpected contenders is the CICADA. Researchers, likely equipped with goggles, found that these tiny insects can shoot their pee at speeds of up to 3 meters per second.

While that’s quite astonishing, billions—possibly trillions—of cicadas emerged in the US in 2017, possibly making you reconsider your summer plans.

So, should you be hiding away until the cicada frenzy subsides? Experts say that it might be wise, but it may not be for the reasons you think…

What are Cicadas and why are they headed our way?

“Cicadas are remarkable insects known for their unique life cycle and distinctive sounds,” says Dr. Elio Charita, one of the primary researchers on their urination studies at BBC Science Focus. “These sap-sucking insects belong to the order Hemiptera and can be found in temperate and tropical regions worldwide.”

Cicadas can grow quite large and are, indeed, very noisy. Their calls can reach volumes comparable to a chainsaw.

“One intriguing aspect of cicadas is their long juvenile phase, during which they spend several years underground feeding on plant roots. Depending on the species, this phase can last from a few years to 17,” Charita continues.

This year, the US will witness the significant emergence of Brood XIV, the most extensive group of regular cicada broods, as noted by the University of Connecticut.

After spending over a decade underground, these fascinating insects will appear en masse for a brief but enthusiastic mating season. Expect to see them across much of the eastern US, including states like Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

If their activity persists until late June, prepare for their numbers to swell at any moment.

For more on the cicada life cycle, be sure to check out our detailed article.

Is it time to prepare for a pee-pocalypse?

Before stocking up on canned goods and toilet paper this summer, Dr. Jonathan Larson, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky, tells BBC Science Focus that there’s really not much to worry about.

“For many, the thought of a swarm of six-legged bugs might recall sci-fi movies, but in reality, it’s more of a spectacular, almost Mardi Gras-like experience.”

Though large, cicadas pose no threat to humans, animals, or crops.

Larson also points out that compared to the Peruvian cicada species, which emerges annually, US cicadas are expected to feed and urinate less during their short lifespan.

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“In our studies, we find that these US species feed far less as adults compared to some others. When they emerge, their primary focus is finding a mate,” Larson explains.

Nevertheless, they still spend time feeding and urinating. Charita notes that cicadas have been seen urinating jets, even captured on camera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnmgiaufm5o

Another upside (if you can call it that) is that cicada urine isn’t like that of larger animals. As mentioned, cicadas primarily excrete sap from trees, which is the same substance that forms the basis of maple syrup. Thus, what drips down is a sweet, watery substance known as “honeydew.”

Although it has a delightful name, I wouldn’t recommend tasting cicada pee this summer, but at least if it lands on you during a walk, it won’t be unpleasant.

As Larson says, “You can leave your umbrellas at home; these cicadas aren’t a big problem.” Phew.

“Watch your step.”

So, while cicada pee is remarkably fast, it’s not a major concern. According to Larson, the real issue arises when they die, not when they urinate.

“They tend to die en masse, creating piles of carcasses, which can lead to slippery sidewalks. I think that’s a more significant issue to worry about,” Larson says.

How significant could this be? Reports from 1990 indicated that people used snow shovels to clear sidewalks of dead cicadas.

What’s even worse is that when billions of these bugs die simultaneously, it leaves behind a nasty odor. Some have described the stench as reminiscent of rotten nuts.

Billions of cicadas emerge from the ground, mate, and soon after die. – Image credits: Getty

On the bright side, this process enriches the soil with nutrients, such as nitrogen. Although the smell may be unpleasant, these insects are beneficial to the ecosystem.

How Cicada Pee Could Inspire Future Robots

According to Charita, the fact that cicadas can generate such powerful urine jets is surprising for two reasons.

  1. Most insects don’t exhibit this behavior because producing jets like larger animals demands a significant amount of energy. Typically, insects excrete urine in droplets. And since cicadas primarily consume sap with low nutritional content, this adds another layer of energy efficiency issues.
  2. Moreover, earlier studies suggested that creatures weighing less than a kilogram are too small to generate such powerful jets, making cicadas’ ability unexpected.

Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for a variety of reasons. Given that cicada populations can number in the trillions, their role in environmental nitrogen cycling may be significant.

“We still do not fully grasp the ecological effects of cicada excretion on surrounding flora and fauna, especially for the seasonal species,” Charita notes.

Cicadas can produce jets of liquid traveling up to 3 meters per second. – Image credit: Elio Challita

When feeding, cicadas consume up to 300 times their body weight in sap daily, and all that sap has to go somewhere.

The research team also considers broader applications for this work. Insights gained could lead to advancements in small robotic jets, nozzles, and various applications in additive manufacturing and drug delivery systems.

“Our study underscores the significance of exploring seemingly trivial aspects of animal biology, such as excretion,” concludes Charita. “Investigating these processes reveals fascinating adaptations and illuminates how animals interact with their environments.”

“It also serves as a reminder that even in the most unexpected places, there’s still much to learn about the natural world.”

About our Experts

Elio Charita is a postdoctoral researcher at the Harvard Microrobotics Research Institute. He previously worked at Georgia Tech, where he studied how ultrafast invertebrates (including insects, hexapods, and arachnids) tackle challenges in fluid dynamics (e.g., feeding, excretion, predator evasion, etc.).

Jonathan Larson is an extension entomologist and assistant professor at the University of Kentucky, providing insect expertise for urban landscapes, turfgrass, nurseries, greenhouses, and household issues. He also co-hosts an informative insect podcast, Arthro-Pod.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Utilizing Urban Waste to Foster Urban Agriculture

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Cities produce a lot of waste. What we consider to be biodegradable or compostable materials is Organic waste. Remaining food scraps, fallen trees, and cow poop are all examples of organic waste. When organic waste breaks down in landfills, it releases called greenhouse gases methane. Methane traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. To reduce methane emissions, urban areas like Chicago, Illinois are trying to divert organic waste from landfills.

One way scientists have proposed to deflect organic waste is to use it as fertilizer on urban farms. Organic waste is a good potential fertilizer as it contains nutrients like nitrogen and carbon that the plant needs to grow. Researchers suggest that using organic waste on urban farms will allow cities to reuse waste and reduce chemical or mineral fertilizers.

Soil microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi break down organic materials for energy, making nutrients available to plants and other organisms in the process. Scientists should see the community of various microorganisms in the soil Soil microbiota. Because all microorganisms require energy, the soil microbiota is shaped by different energy sources in the soil. For example, some microorganisms prefer to get energy from sugar in plant materials, while others prefer to use the nitrogen found in animal fertilizers.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis and University of Wisconsin Madison wanted to know whether adding organic waste mixtures to the soil could alter the soil microbiome and improve crop growth compared to traditional mineral fertilizers. They produced four mixtures of organic waste collected in San Francisco, California. One was a liquid mixture of expired supermarket produce, one was food scrap compost, one was a mixture of plant-eating animal poop at a nearby zoo, and one was a dead plant-like garden compost. Researchers also included a control mixture, called nitrogen compounds, which contain the main ingredients of mineral fertilizers.

The researchers hypothesized that adding organic waste to the soil would increase the number and diversity of soil microorganisms compared to mineral fertilizers. They tested their hypothesis by cultivating tomato plants in greenhouse experiments. They applied a mixture of organic waste to the soil of local urban farms and placed the soil in a pot with tomato seedlings.

Researchers grew tomato plants for 75 days, then harvested and sampled the soil microbiota. They used a process of identifying microorganisms based on DNA. 16S rRNA Sequence. They measured the amount of carbon in bacterial and fungal cells.

The team found that soil treated with liquid food waste and animal poop had 127% and 120% more microorganisms than soil treated with urea. They discovered that microbial identity has also changed. For example, three of the four soils with organic waste mixtures contain more carbon cycling microorganisms; planutomyceota Bacteria than soil with urea. They concluded that the organic waste mixture maintained or improved the soil microbiota.

However, the researchers were surprised that the organic waste mixture did not change the microbial diversity or amount of microorganisms involved in soil nitrogen cycling. The team suggested that microbial diversity could still increase if the soil is fertilized for a long period.

The team then looked into the tomato plants. They determined the quality of the plant by measuring the height and weight of the plant, as well as the number and size of tomato fruit. They also analyzed the taste of tomatoes by measuring the soluble sugars of the fruit. They found that plants treated with organic waste had 15% to 75% smaller and 15% to 65% lower fruit yields than plants treated with urea. However, the tomatoes were all the same size, and some plants grown with organic waste had tomatoes with better taste. Researchers agreed that organic waste mixtures can improve the quality of certain crops, such as fruit taste, but further research is needed.

The team concluded that organic waste mixtures can support the healthy microbiota of urban agricultural soils. They proposed that farmers could use organic fertilizers as an alternative to mineral fertilizers such as urea. They suggested that reusing local waste would help bring more fresh food to urban communities.


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Source: sciworthy.com

Monitoring waste at only 20 airports can help identify potential pandemics

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A network of airports like Hong Kong International Airport could effectively detect disease outbreaks

Yuen Man Cheung / Alamy

A global early warning system for disease outbreaks and future pandemics is possible with minimal surveillance. We test wastewater from just a few of our international flights at just 20 airports around the world.

If passengers fly while infected with bacteria or viruses, traces of these pathogens can be left in the waste, allowing airports to gather from the plane after the flight. “If you go to the airplane toilet, blow your nose and place it in the toilet, some of the genetic material from the pathogen can go. In the wastewater.” Guillaume St-Onge at Northeastern University, Massachusetts.

St-Onge and his colleagues used an A Simulator Called the Global Epidemic and Mobility Model, it analyzes how airport waste monitoring networks can detect new variants of the virus, such as those that cause Covid-19. By testing the model using different numbers and locations at airports, they have been able to provide 20 strategically located “sentinel airports” around the world and are as quickly as a network involving thousands of airports. It has been shown that occurrence can be detected efficiently. The larger network was only 20% faster, but cost more.

To detect new threats from anywhere in the world, your network should include major international airports in cities such as London, Paris, Dubai and Singapore. However, the team also showed how networks containing different airport sets could provide a more targeted detection of disease outbreaks that are likely to occur on a particular continent.

“This modeling study is the first to provide the actual number of sentinel airports needed to support effective global monitoring while optimizing resource use,” he says. jiaying li At the University of Sydney, Australia.

Additionally, airport-based networks provide useful information on disease outbreaks during an epidemic, such as how quickly diseases spread from person to person, and estimating people who may become infected from exposure to a single case. You can also do it, says ST-. Onge.

Such wastewater surveillance provides early warnings for known diseases and could also track new and emerging threats if genome data for bacterial or viral is available. “I don’t think I can look at the wastewater and say, ‘There’s a new pathogen out there.'” Temi Ibitoye At Brown University in Rhode Island. “But when new pathogens are announced, we can look at previous waste data very quickly and say, “Is this present in the sample?” “

A map of Sentinel Airport shows how quickly the network detects new disease outbreaks at various sites around the world

Northeastern University

There are still some nuances, such as the frequency of ingesting wastewater samples to track different pathogens. Other challenges include knowing the most efficient way to sample wastewater from an aircraft and assessing the actual effectiveness of the system, says Li.

Long-term surveillance programs also require cooperation from airlines and airports, along with consistent funding sources.

Individual airports can hesitate to participate as risks are recognized for business if infectious disease statistics become widely available. Unless a data processing agreement can alleviate such concerns, Trevor Charles At the University of Waterloo, Canada. He emphasized the importance of coordinated international funding to offset “local political considerations.”

However, given President Donald Trump’s launch of the US withdrawal from the organization, even coordination through international organizations such as the World Health Organization is bringing its own political complications, according to Ibitoye He said. Still, such research is “contributed to making it.” [the monitoring network] She says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The brain’s waste removal process disrupted by sleeping pills

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During sleep, your brain eliminates toxins that have accumulated throughout the day.

Robert Reeder/Getty Images

Sleeping pills may help you doze off, but the sleep you get may not be as restorative. When mice were given zolpidem, which is commonly found in sleeping pills such as Ambien, their brains were unable to effectively remove waste products during sleep.

Sleep is important for removing waste from the brain. At night, a clear fluid called cerebrospinal fluid circulates around brain tissue and flushes out toxins through a series of thin tubes known as the glymphatic system. Think of it like a dishwasher, which turns on your brain while you sleep, says Miken Nedergaard at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. However, the mechanisms that push fluid through this network have not been well understood.

Nedergaard and his colleagues implanted optical fibers into the brains of seven mice. By irradiating chemicals in the brain, the fibers can track the flow of blood and cerebrospinal fluid during sleep.

They found that elevated levels of a molecule called norepinephrine cause blood vessels in the brain to constrict, reducing blood volume and allowing cerebrospinal fluid to flow into the brain. As norepinephrine levels decrease, blood vessels dilate and cerebrospinal fluid is pushed back. Thus, fluctuations in norepinephrine during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep stimulate blood vessels to act like pumps in the glymphatic system, Nedergaard said.

This discovery reveals that norepinephrine plays an important role in clearing waste from the brain. Previous research has shown that when we sleep, the brain releases norepinephrine in a slow, oscillating pattern. These norepinephrine waves occur during NREM, a sleep stage important for memory, learning, and other cognitive functions.

Next, the researchers treated six mice with zolpidem, a sleeping pill commonly sold under the brand names Ambien and Zolpimist. The mice fell asleep faster than those treated with a placebo, but the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain was reduced by about 30 percent on average. In other words, “their brains aren't being cleaned very well,” Nedergaard said.

Although zolpidem was tested in this experiment, almost all sleeping pills inhibit the production of norepinephrine. This suggests that they may interfere with the brain's ability to eliminate toxins.

It is too early to tell whether these results apply to humans. “Human sleep architecture is still quite different from mice, but they have the same brain circuits studied here,” he says. laura lewis at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Some of these basic mechanisms may apply to us as well.”

If sleeping pills interfere with the brain's ability to eliminate toxins during sleep, Nedergaard says, that means new sleeping pills must be developed. Otherwise, your sleep problems may worsen and your brain health may deteriorate in the process.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Energy storage potential of batteries made from industrial waste

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A redox flow battery at a power plant in Japan. New process could replace rare metals in these batteries with industrial byproducts

Photo by Alessandro Gandolfi/Panos

Industrial waste has been reborn as a battery component that can stably store a large amount of electrical charge. Such batteries could serve an important function for the power grid by smoothing out the peaks and valleys of renewable energy.

A redox flow battery (RFB) stores energy as two liquids called an anolyte and a catholyte in a pair of tanks. When these fluids are pumped into a central chamber separated by a thin membrane, they chemically react to generate electrons and generate energy. This process can be reversed to recharge the battery by passing an electric current through the membrane.

Although such batteries are cheap, they also have drawbacks. They are bulky, often as large as shipping containers, and require regular maintenance because they involve moving parts in pumping liquids. It also relies on metals such as lithium and cobalt, which are in short supply.

now, Emily Mahoney and colleagues at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, have discovered a simple process that can turn previously useless industrial waste into useful anolyte. This could potentially replace these rare metals.

Their process converts triphenylphosphine oxide, which is produced during the manufacture of products such as vitamin tablets, to cyclic triphenylphosphine oxide, which is more likely to accumulate negative charges. When used as an anolyte, no loss of effectiveness is observed after 350 charging and draining cycles.

“Using an anolyte with a very negative potential increases the potential across the cell and therefore increases the efficiency of the battery,” Mahoney says. “But often the increased potential comes with stability issues, so it's exciting to have a stable yet highly negative compound.”

Mahoney said RFBs are designed to be safe and high-capacity, so they could potentially be used to store energy from wind and solar power, but their bulk makes them unsuitable for lithium-ion batteries in cars and smartphones. It is unlikely that they will be replaced.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The hidden radioactive waste problem lies at the core of achieving net zero emissions

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A dog chased a ball past me at full speed across the open fields of Seascale Beach, Cumbria. The beach is surrounded by a small park, rows of shops, and houses, with tall chimneys and large rectangular buildings visible on a vast industrial site as you walk north.

Close to Seascale Beach is the Sellafield complex, a 2 square mile nuclear facility located 5 km away. Sellafield is home to most of the UK’s radioactive nuclear waste and the world’s largest store of plutonium.

I visited Sellafield earlier this year to learn about the management of Britain’s nuclear waste. It was an eye-opening and expensive lesson in dealing with hazardous material with no clear plan.

Sellafield played a crucial role in producing plutonium during the Cold War. The current cleanup operation involves processing and storing spent nuclear fuel, cooling and stabilizing it, then storing it in silos covered with steel and concrete.

Initially, safe long-term storage was not a priority, leading to waste being disposed of from decades ago. The process of moving waste from dilapidated silos to more modern stores is ongoing.

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A recent report by the National Board of Audit highlighted that Sellafield is still in the early stages of the cleanup mission, expected to last until 2125 with an estimated cost of £136bn, showcasing uncertainty about the exact tasks and timeline.

The plan for the most dangerous nuclear waste is to bury it deep underground in a geological disposal facility (GDF). Finding a suitable location involves not just solid rock but also a willing community.

Three communities are currently in discussion about building a GDF facility, with experts believing it to be the best option. Several countries are also working on similar facilities.

The complexity of site selection may delay the facility’s opening until the 2040s or 2050s, amidst a push for new nuclear power to reduce emissions and reach net zero.

As we navigate through the challenges of nuclear waste management, experts like Professor Claire Corkhill from the University of Bristol play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of radioactive waste.

About our expert Professor Claire Corkhill

Claire is Professor of Mineralogy and Radioactive Waste Management in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol.

Her work has been published in magazines material, nature, and ceramics.

Read More:

  • Nuclear fusion: Inside the construction of the world’s largest tokamak
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

20% of Global Plastic Waste ends up Incinerated or Dumped

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More than half of uncollected plastic waste is incinerated

Tim Gainey/Alamy

Approximately 1.5 billion people around the world have no access to waste collection services, making how to dispose of plastic waste a serious environmental issue.

Most of these households resort to incinerating their plastic waste or dumping it in the environment, new analysis argues, arguing that comprehensive collection services are the only way to curb global plastic pollution.

Costas Bellis Researchers from the University of Leeds in the UK used municipal waste data and census data to model plastic waste flows in cities around the world, then used this data to train an AI algorithm to predict how waste is generated and disposed of in more than 50,000 urban areas around the world.

Bellis says this bottom-up approach offers an “unprecedented” look at how plastic waste is processed and why it becomes a pollutant in different countries. “It's never been done before,” he says.

Velis' team estimates that 52.1 million tonnes of plastic waste (one-fifth of the global total) becomes polluting each year. Most of it occurs in poor countries where waste collection is unreliable or not available at all. Rather than being properly treated, most of this plastic waste is burned in homes, on the streets or in small dumps, without any environmental controls.

Researchers estimate that about 57% of uncollected plastic waste is disposed of in this way, while the remaining 43% is dumped into the environment. Burning plastic not only releases greenhouse gases, but also carcinogenic dioxins, particulate pollution, and heavy metals. All of these are harmful to human health..

Low-income countries generally produce much less plastic waste per capita, but much of that waste ends up polluting the environment, whereas in high-income countries, where the majority of waste is collected and treated, littering is the biggest source of plastic pollution.

The findings highlight the need for low-income countries to receive support to establish comprehensive waste collection systems for all their citizens, Velis said. India, Nigeria and Indonesia were named as countries with the highest rates of plastic pollution.

The study comes ahead of a conference in Busan, South Korea, in November to consider adopting the world's first plastic waste treaty. Velis calls for the treaty to include measures requiring countries to steadily increase the proportion of waste treated in appropriate facilities and for high-income countries to increase financial support. “Lack of waste collection is the biggest cause of the decline in plastic waste,” he says. [plastic pollution] “That's where the problem lies,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Mushrooms transform food waste into gourmet dishes

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A sweet dessert made from Neurospora crassa served at the Alchemist restaurant in Copenhagen.

Alchemist

A type of mold that grows on discarded food has been shown to fundamentally change the taste of the food, making food that would otherwise be thrown away edible in new ways.

Neurospora crassa, Orange fungus, grown from waste products from soy milk production, has been used for centuries to make onkom, a traditional food from the Indonesian island of Java.

Vayuhir Maini The UC Berkeley professor and his colleagues worked with chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants in New York and Copenhagen to develop new foods using the bacteria, some of which are now appearing on their menus, including a cheese-flavored toast made with stale bread and a sweet dessert made with sugar-free rice custard.

About a third of food is wasted worldwide, and discarded agricultural products account for about 8% of greenhouse gas emissions. Upcycling, or turning discarded produce into new, edible foods, can divert waste from landfills and reduce the climate impact of food production while also strengthening food security, Hill-Maini said.

His team: N. Intermedia It can thrive on at least 30 types of agricultural waste, including tomato pomace and banana peels, without producing toxins.

The fungus is capable of turning indigestible plant waste into nutritious food in about 36 hours. “It seems to be on a unique trajectory of transforming waste from trash to treasure,” Hill-Maini said.

When the team first had Danish consumers try Oncom, people consistently rated it a six or above on a scale of one to nine, and described the taste as “earthy and nutty,” he says.

Hill-Maini developed the fungus-based food in collaboration with Rasmus Munk, owner of the Copenhagen restaurant The Alchemist, and Andrew Lasmore of Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, New York.

In The Alchemist, N. Intermedia It was used in a dessert of gelled plum wine and unsweetened rice custard and was fermented for 60 hours, a process that Munch says changed both the aroma and flavor “pretty dramatically.”

“It was shocking to suddenly discover flavors like banana and pickled fruit without adding anything other than the fungus itself,” he says. “Of course, not all of our wild shots work, but when they do, they can produce pretty revolutionary results.”

By demonstrating what upcycled food can achieve at the highest gastronomic level, the chefs hope to help accelerate commercial acceptance of the concept.

“We're just in the beginning stages of realizing its full potential,” Hill-Maini says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How to Identify and Stay Safe from Human Waste in Your Local River

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Have you ever experienced this feeling before? On a blazing hot day, the desire to plunge into a cool stream of water intensifies by the minute. The water appears pristine, clear, and incredibly refreshing. However, in reality, it could be extensively contaminated.

Even the purest rivers can harbor harmful bacteria, including fecal bacteria originating from livestock manure and human waste.

In a recent announcement, the Designated bathing area in the UK, a favored holiday spot, has been a subject of concern due to issues such as being submerged in sewage and incidents of rowers contracting E. coli infections. To address these concerns, we consulted with water and sanitation expert Professor David Werner to provide essential information for safely enjoying wild swimming this summer.

Werner’s research delves into treated sewage, stormwater (untreated sewage overflows following heavy rains), and occasionally illegal sewage disposal in dry weather. These factors impact both human health and ecosystem health. While human waste is discharged into oceans, rivers tend to exhibit higher concentrations of human waste and the accompanying harmful bacteria due to lower dilution levels compared to water bodies, increasing the risk of exposure to harmful substances.

(Notably, a microbiology professor, William Gays, mentioned in BBC Science Focus that rivers have only recently been subjected to the same microbial testing as coastal waters. Moreover, wastewater discharged into the ocean is often subjected to more stringent treatment standards than rivers, including ultraviolet disinfection.)

The following guidelines mainly focus on rivers but are also relevant for coastal swimming activities.

The key takeaway? Avoid swimming after rainfall.

How do diseases enter rivers, and what is the risk of swimming in them?

Fecal contamination doesn’t always mean significant. The majority of people’s stool contains beneficial bacteria essential for our health. However, the stool of an ill individual harbors bacteria responsible for the illness, potentially leading to disease transmission.

According to Warner, the risk of contracting a disease from a river is relatively low, but it escalates if you ingest river water (discouraged but not impossible).

This can result in unpleasant symptoms like infections and diarrhea. The worst-case scenario involves acquiring antibiotic-resistant bacteria, an eventuality deemed highly improbable by Warner.

So, should one abstain from wild swimming altogether? Ultimately, it boils down to whether you are willing to accept the (generally minimal) risk for the mental health benefits, as Warner highlights.

“There is no such thing as absolute safety or zero risk,” he states. “Each time we embark on a car journey, we weigh the trip’s advantages against the accident risks. Similarly, outdoor recreation offers significant mental health perks, particularly for urban dwellers.”

How to safeguard yourself from sewage while swimming

Warner and his team are currently devising a device capable of swiftly testing water for contaminants, akin to a lateral flow corona test, though substantial research is required to materialize this concept.

Until this technology is available, several straightforward methods can help identify sewage presence while swimming in rivers this summer. Here are Warner’s recommendations:

1. Choose your spot wisely

According to Werner, it is crucial to avoid swimming downstream from a sewage treatment plant under any circumstances. While untreated sewage overflows are a common concern, treating sewage does not completely eradicate the risks; it merely diminishes them.

“Treating wastewater significantly reduces the levels of harmful bacteria, possibly by a factor of 1,000, but it doesn’t eliminate them,” Werner explains.

“Hence, if a location is situated immediately downstream of a treatment plant discharge point, one can expect a consistent presence of fecal bacteria due to the continuous discharge.”

Individuals can consult the “Poop Map” and trace their local river upstream to identify any treatment facilities along the route.

2. Check the poop map

UK organizations such as Rivers Trust and Surfers Against Sewage have developed an interactive map showcasing regular treated sewage discharges and anticipated untreated sewage overflows across the UK in 2023.

To locate a wastewater treatment plant on The Rivers Trust map, click the yellow square corresponding to your area or tap the brown circle icon, peruse the cards to pinpoint locations. The phrase “Sewage Discharge – Final/Treated Effluent – Water Companies” typically indicates a wastewater treatment facility.

The Rivers Trust’s interactive wastewater map displaying treated and untreated sewage discharge locations into UK rivers in 2023. – Image credit: Rivers Trust

This year, the charity integrated near real-time data into its maps. “This marks a significant advancement for individuals seeking real-time updates,” remarks Warner. “We strongly recommend utilizing these online resources, offering current information.”

Presently, individuals can ascertain if sewage has been discharged within the last 24 hours, albeit inland data is exclusive to designated bathing locations and rivers within the Thames Basin (Northumbrian Water also provides a County-level map while coastal regions are included).

3. Monitor the weather

Despite the allure of swimming on a sunny day, verify there hasn’t been rainfall for a few days. Swimming post-rainfall significantly heightens the possibility of encountering contaminated water due to sewer overflows and increased water release during heavy downpours.

To compound matters, even as a dry spell seems to prevail and swimming appears safe, hidden risks could lurk upstream. Thunderstorms can unleash localized rainfall, implying that upstream areas may experience heavy showers despite sunshine at your location.

4. Steer clear of small rivers

In addition to potentially turbid waters, small rivers tend to exacerbate the situation as sewage, whether treated or untreated, is less diluted in these settings.

Warner adheres to a safety benchmark stipulating that raw sewage minimal dilution should be 1,000 times for paddling and over 10,000 times for swimming. While calculating these dilution levels is not advised, the underlying principle is straightforward: “A large river with vigorous flow signifies ample dilution,” Werner asserts.

Nonetheless, disparate river segments need not cause undue concern: while one side may seem stagnant relative to the center, the water mixes uniformly.

5. Keep tabs on the paper trail

Exhibit prudence: refrain from swimming if toilet paper is visible. Alarming indicators surpass toilet paper and include wet wipes and sanitary pads crafted from plastic materials that should not be flushed but often are.

According to Werner, unlike toilet paper and human excrement, these items do not disintegrate in swiftly moving waters.

6. Stay informed

“After frolicking in the river, diligently cleanse yourself. Embrace standard personal hygiene,” stresses Werner.

About our experts

David Warner serves as a Professor of Environmental Systems Modelling at Newcastle University. Previously, his research concentrated on sanitation and water quality in low-income countries by utilizing DNA sequencing and assessing microbial hazards in rivers. During travel restrictions amid the pandemic, he shifted his focus to the UK’s rivers. His research on post-rain fecal bacteria levels has been documented in various journals such as Water Science and Technology, Comprehensive Environmental Science, and Environmental Pollution.

William Gays, a Professor of Microbiology at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health within the University of Exeter’s Medical School, conducts research published in journals like International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, Food and Environmental Virology, and Water Research.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Effective Recycling Techniques to Reduce Plastic Waste from Ending up in Landfills

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Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images

In 1980, Disney World in Orlando, Florida, began developing a new method of generating electricity for its theme parks that would reduce the use of increasingly expensive oil. The solid waste-to-energy conversion plant took garbage, including plastics, and converted it into flammable gas using a method called pyrolysis. It opened in 1982 but closed a year later due to high operating costs.

Today, environmentalists cite the Disney story that shatters the reputation of a series of new technologies collectively known as advanced recycling, which takes plastic waste and turns it back into brand new plastic.

Their argument is dishonest. The failure of the Disney plant had more to do with the subsequent drop in oil prices than with any technical or environmental issues. Pyrolysis has improved significantly since the 1980s. In any case, Disney’s factory is designed to produce fuel, not classified as advanced recycling.

Advanced recycling is rapidly innovating with the potential to help solve the global plastics crisis, as reported in our feature “A surprising new technology that could recycle all plastics forever.” It has the potential to capture millions of tonnes of waste plastic and turn it back into a clean, fresh state by breaking it down into its molecular components. The goal is a circular economy that eliminates the need to make “virgin” plastic from oil.

It’s not a panacea. These factories produce toxic waste, have problems with their energy use, and perpetuate traditional plastics ahead of newer, greener alternatives. Campaigners are right to argue that it would be better to do away with plastic altogether. However, given practical considerations, they are not going away anytime soon, and most advanced recycling technologies are better for the environment than their alternatives.

There should be serious discussion about advanced recycling, especially whether it should be incorporated into future global treaties on plastic pollution. Make sure it’s based on fact and not a Disney story.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Neuroscientists find that brain waves aid in clearing waste from the brain during sleep

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According to a new study from Washington University in St. Louis, individual neurons work together to generate rhythmic waves that propel fluid through dense brain tissue, cleaning it in the process.

Accumulation of metabolic waste products is a major cause of many neurological diseases, but there is still limited knowledge about how the brain performs self-cleaning.Jean Xie other. They demonstrate that neural networks synchronize individual action potentials to generate large-amplitude, rhythmic, self-perpetuating ion waves within the brain's interstitial fluid. Image credit: Jiang-Xie other., doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07108-6.

“These neurons are miniature pumps,” said Dr. Li-Feng Jiang-Xie, lead author of the study.

“Synchronized neural activity facilitates fluid flow and removal of debris from the brain.”

“If we can develop this process, we could slow or prevent neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, where excess waste products such as metabolic waste and junk proteins accumulate in the brain and cause neurodegeneration. It may be possible.”

Brain cells form a dynamic network that coordinates thoughts, emotions, and body movements and is essential for memory formation and problem solving.

But to perform these energy-intensive tasks, your brain cells need fuel. When you take in nutrients from your diet, metabolic waste products are produced in the process.

“It is important that the brain processes metabolic waste products that can accumulate and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases,” said Professor Jonathan Kipnis, senior author of the study.

“We knew that sleep is a time when the brain begins a cleansing process to flush out waste and toxins that have accumulated during wakefulness. But how does that happen? I didn't understand.”

“These findings may point us to strategies and potential treatments to accelerate the removal of hazardous waste and remove it before it leads to dire consequences.”

However, cleaning the dense brain is not an easy task. The cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain enters a complex network of cells, collecting toxic waste as it passes through it.

On leaving the brain, contaminated fluids must pass through a barrier in the dura mater (the outer layer of tissue that surrounds the brain under the skull) before flooding into the lymph vessels.

But what powers the flow of fluid into, into, and out of the brain?

“Researchers studied the brains of sleeping mice and discovered that neurons work together to fire electrical signals that generate rhythmic waves in the brain, prompting cleaning efforts,” says Jean. Dr. Shi said.

The study authors determined that such waves drive fluid movement.

They silenced certain brain areas so that neurons in those areas no longer produced rhythmic waves.

Without these waves, fresh cerebrospinal fluid cannot flow through the silenced brain areas and trapped waste products cannot exit the brain tissue.

“One of the reasons we sleep is to cleanse the brain,” Professor Kipnis says.

“And if we can enhance this cleansing process, perhaps we can sleep less and stay healthy.”

“Not everyone can benefit from eight hours of sleep each night, and lack of sleep can affect your health.”

“Other studies have shown that mice genetically short-sleeping have healthier brains.”

“Is it to remove waste products from the brain more efficiently?”

“Is it possible to strengthen the brain purification ability of people suffering from insomnia so that they can live with less sleep?”

of study Published in the Journal on February 28, 2024 Nature.

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LF.Jean Xie other. Neurodynamics directs cerebrospinal fluid perfusion and brain clearance. Nature, published online on February 28, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07108-6

Source: www.sci.news

Tesla facing lawsuit from 25 California counties over alleged mishandling of hazardous waste

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A group of 25 California counties has sued Elon Musk’s Tesla, accusing the electric car maker of mishandling hazardous waste at its facilities in the state.

The lawsuits from Los Angeles, Alameda, San Joaquin, San Francisco and other counties were filed Tuesday in California state court. The company is seeking civil penalties and an injunction that would require it to properly dispose of its waste in the future.


Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The counties accused Tesla of violating the state’s Unfair Business Practices Act and Hazardous Waste Management Act by improperly labeling the waste and sending the material to landfills that cannot accept hazardous materials. California’s Hazardous Waste Management Act can result in civil penalties of as much as $70,000 per day for each violation.

The waste generated or processed at the facility includes paint materials, brake fluid, used batteries, antifreeze, diesel fuel and more, according to the county.

The complaint alleges violations occur at 101 facilities, including Tesla’s manufacturing plant in Fremont. Spokespeople for each county did not immediately provide additional details about the incident.

The lawsuit is not the first time Tesla has faced allegations related to its hazardous waste management practices.

The company reached a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2019 over alleged federal hazardous waste violations at its Fremont plant. In that agreement, Tesla agreed to take steps to properly manage waste within its facilities. and pay a $31,000 fine..

Tesla subsequently filed a lawsuit with the Environmental Protection Agency in 2022 after federal officials alleged it failed to maintain records and implement plans to minimize air pollutants from paint operations at its Fremont factory. They reached an agreement and agreed to pay a penalty of $275,000.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Transforming Cardboard Waste into Sustainable Foam: The Packaging Revolutionized

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This cardboard-based foam reinforced with gelatin has the potential to make packaging materials more sustainable.Credit: Gou Jingsheng

Eco-friendly cushion foam made from recycled cardboard provides a stronger, more insulating alternative to traditional packaging materials, providing a sustainable solution for the shipping industry.

The holiday season is in full swing and gifts of all shapes and sizes are being shipped all over the world. However, all packaging generates large amounts of waste, including cardboard boxes and plastic-based foam cushioning such as his Styrofoam™. Rather than throw those boxes away, researchers ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering We developed cushion foam from cardboard waste. Their upcycled material was stronger and more insulating than traditional plastic foam-based cushions.

Turn common household waste into eco-friendly materials

Out of all the types of trash that accumulate in your home, paper waste is one of the most common. Especially as internet shopping has exploded in popularity, everything from newspapers and junk mail to cardboard envelopes and boxes can end up piling up. Researchers are interested in turning these containers and paper scraps into something else useful: durable, lightweight mail.

Today, molded cushioning materials such as Styrofoam are typically used to securely fit electronics and toys inside boxes. Lightweight cellulose aerogels are a possible sustainable alternative, but current methods of producing aerogels from waste paper require several chemical pretreatment steps. So Jinsheng Gou and colleagues wanted to find an easier way to create a waste paper-based foam material that could withstand even the toughest deliveries.

Innovative cardboard-based foam for added protection

To create the foam, the team crushed cardboard scraps in a blender to create a pulp, which they mixed with either gelatin or polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesive. The mixture was poured into molds, refrigerated, and then freeze-dried to form cushioning foam. Both paper-based foams acted as excellent insulators and strong energy absorbers, even better than some plastic foams.

The team then created a durable version of the wastepaper foam by combining pulp, gelatin, PVA adhesive, and a silica-based liquid that hardens when force is applied. This version’s cardboard-based foam withstood hammer impact without shattering. The results suggest that the foam could be used for deliveries that require force, such as airdrops without a parachute.

The researchers say their work provides a simple and efficient way to upcycle cardboard to create more environmentally friendly packaging materials.

Reference: “Biodegradable waste paper-based foam with ultra-high energy absorption, good insulation and good cushioning properties” Bin Zhang, Wenxuan Tao, Ziming Ren, Shiqi Yue, Jinsheng Gou, November 28, 2023 Day, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering.
DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c06230

The authors acknowledge funding from the Beijing Key Research Institute of Wood Science and Engineering.

Source: scitechdaily.com