There are so many things in that world that are now easier than ever thanks to advancements in technology. Things that were once thought to be impossible are now happening in such a way to make our world a better, safer, and more efficient place. However, one area where systemic technological advancement hasn’t quite measured up is in helping the general population to reduce waste. Despite this, there are measures that have been taken and tech that has been created that can start to make a real difference in this area.
To show you just how this is being done, here are three ways technology is helping to reduce waste.
Speeding Up The Breakdown
In some situations, technology has been used to slow down certain natural processes, like the spoilage of food in packaged products, so that food waste can be reduced. But in other situations, using technology to speed certain processes up can help to reduce waste even further.
According to Padraig Belton, a contributor to BBC News, there are some companies that are looking at ways to speed up the breakdown of methane as a way to reduce the harmful effects of waste in landfills worldwide. By using technology to shorten how long it takes for methane to breakdown, companies can now take the waste in landfills and use the methane expelled to create energy that can be used to power turbines for creating electricity. So rather than simply adding to our waste problems, we can use that waste as part of a larger worldwide solution.
When you ask someone how they can reduce waste and help the environment, one of the most well-known and obvious answers is to recycle. However, in order for recycling to really be effective, it has to be done on a larger scale.
To accomplish this, Rodika Tollefson, a contributor to American Express, shares that many recycling companies are using robots to automate the recycling process and reduce the chances of human error when dealing with recyclables. This allows for more items to be recycled faster, which can be a huge benefit to the natural world.
Making Everything Smarter
While the above solutions show how technology can help on a global scale, there still are ways you can use technology to reduce waste in your individual life.
One of the biggest ways this can be done, according to Whitson Gordon, a contributor to Popular Science, is to use technology like a smart thermostat in your home. These features allow for your home to use less energy and, therefore, create less waste of the fuel it takes to heat or cool your home.
With the right use of technology, the world around us can become a healthier, happier place.