It's a Blog Refinery!

More and more, I'm finding cool research as it relates to reducing and reusing - or even reimagining - waste products. As the Green Chemistry Network's December newsletter points out, we should view waste as a resource rather than as a problem. This focus immediately can split into two categories: reducing and reusing, and the chemistry behind both. It's nice that GCN has a whole newsletter about these ideas, and I've also been finding pretty ample resources everywhere I've looked (check out my new links!) Previously I'd considered all the information to be disparate, as each article focused on different green products and processes. With these two overarching goals, I'm finding plentiful connections!

In terms of reusing wastes, researchers seem to be really creative. From using food waste as a preservative to making black paint from metal sludge, the ideas span lots of interesting examples. I could consider refining my topic just to this category, and focusing on a few of these examples if I find that I'm too spread out.

Reducing waste seems be more technical and specific, focusing on things like changing the process of tanning leather and using water as a solvent rather than synthetics. If anything, this is a slight bit harder to research, as it's a bit more subtle as an idea, and it's usually intertwined with reusing. Still, I'm generally finding good information here, as well.

Thinking of topic ideas

I'd like to look at chemistry as it relates to the environment and greener products, sometimes called green chemistry. For example, researchers at Yale have created a gel form of carbon dioxide, providing a less expensive and more environmentally friendly solvent and lubricant for industry. It applies new research to helping our world!