Day 1: Sustainability » More questions
Abi J (host): Take a look at some more questions and answers relating to Sustainability below...
Question:
What is a circular economy and what's good about it?
What is a circular economy and what's good about it?
Answer:
The vast majority of our current way of life revolves around a "take-make-dispose" model. Also known as the linear economy. The circular economy looks to tackle this by encouraging businesses and people to adopt ways to use less raw materials, making products last longer and ensuring products and their materials are recovered to be used again. This helps reduce the pressure of needing to extract the planet's precious resources and the emissions linked to this, supporting the battle against climate change.
The vast majority of our current way of life revolves around a "take-make-dispose" model. Also known as the linear economy. The circular economy looks to tackle this by encouraging businesses and people to adopt ways to use less raw materials, making products last longer and ensuring products and their materials are recovered to be used again. This helps reduce the pressure of needing to extract the planet's precious resources and the emissions linked to this, supporting the battle against climate change.
Question:
What are some materials that can be recycled from urban mining?
What are some materials that can be recycled from urban mining?
Answer:
Urban Mining from old technology enables the recovery of many different materials. If you think of a laptop, there is the plastic and metal (normally aluminium) of the casing and then the motherboard/printed circuit board and components inside which contains lots of interesting materials including copper, nickel and tin. There are materials that are difficult to recycle too like fiberglass – we are looking for innovative ways to reuse that such as for reinforcing concreate and road surfaces so that they last longer.
Urban Mining from old technology enables the recovery of many different materials. If you think of a laptop, there is the plastic and metal (normally aluminium) of the casing and then the motherboard/printed circuit board and components inside which contains lots of interesting materials including copper, nickel and tin. There are materials that are difficult to recycle too like fiberglass – we are looking for innovative ways to reuse that such as for reinforcing concreate and road surfaces so that they last longer.
Question:
How can technology be made to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability?
How can technology be made to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability?
Answer:
Creatively. One is already in flight. Technology that can be upgraded with software, rather than replacing the whole device. Another is more REUSE of the materials we have already mined and less on mining for more. The technology we have has materials that can be mostly recycled, and each year, scientists develop more ways of recycling the previously unrecyclable. These are just a few of the wonderful things great minds are working on. The possibilities are limitless!
Creatively. One is already in flight. Technology that can be upgraded with software, rather than replacing the whole device. Another is more REUSE of the materials we have already mined and less on mining for more. The technology we have has materials that can be mostly recycled, and each year, scientists develop more ways of recycling the previously unrecyclable. These are just a few of the wonderful things great minds are working on. The possibilities are limitless!
Question:
How would you describe sustainability in one sentence?
How would you describe sustainability in one sentence?
Answers:
Mimi: Sustainability is about approaching everything we do considering the impact on the planet and people front and centre.
Michelle: Sustainability is the ability to maintain a balance between the resources used and the products created, without negatively impacting the environment in which the resources are obtained.
Question:
Aren't bacteria bad things normally? How come they're good in recycling?
Aren't bacteria bad things normally? How come they're good in recycling?
Answer:
Bacteria aren't always bad! In fact, you are made up of more bacteria than you are your own self. We have bacteria on our skin and bacteria in our gut that help maintain the natural balance of these environments. So, in bioleaching, the bacteria are great, because they help us get the metals we want from electronic waste (e-waste), and a bonus is they are not harmful to us, and they naturally occur in the environment!
Bacteria aren't always bad! In fact, you are made up of more bacteria than you are your own self. We have bacteria on our skin and bacteria in our gut that help maintain the natural balance of these environments. So, in bioleaching, the bacteria are great, because they help us get the metals we want from electronic waste (e-waste), and a bonus is they are not harmful to us, and they naturally occur in the environment!
Got a question? email computerscience@bt.com