As we’ve known for years now, our wasteful economy is both a direct and indirect driver of increased climate change over recent years. The heaps of food we waste every day, greenhouse gas emissions produced by inorganic materials manufacturing, and affinity for landfills are all contributors. 

On the inorganic side, REUZEit’s circular economy mission actively compensates for the emissions produced during equipment manufacturing by reconditioning those units for extended life cycles. Learn more about how our wasteful economy has brought us to this age of climate change, as well as how our mission plays into the reduction of inorganic waste effects.

Organic Waste’s Direct Effects

For the most part, organic waste is the major culprit regarding the influence of mass waste on increased climate change. Organic waste is any biodegradable material derived from a plant or animal, such as food and garden trimmings, and makes up approximately 30% of U.S. waste as of the past few years. The environmental harms of organic waste stem from decomposition in landfills or dumpsites, which releases carbon dioxide and methane gas into the atmosphere. 

While methane is produced in the absence of air, carbon dioxide is the result of air-exposed rotting. Both are greenhouse gasses and contributory to global warming and climate change, though REUZEit’s circular economy mission is geared more towards inorganic, man-made waste in the form of used lab equipment. 

Inorganic Waste’s Indirect Effects

Inorganic waste only directly produces greenhouse gasses when it’s incinerated. Though the manufacturing process used to produce this inorganic waste does contribute to climate change, since all manufactured goods use natural resources during production, resulting in the emission of greenhouse gasses. Through this lens, inorganic waste is found to have already produced a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions prior to ending up in a landfill. 

Although the effects are “indirect,” they’re still quite significant due to the resource-heavy nature of manufacturing. Over the years, inorganic material such as e-waste has become a growing issue – with around 50 million tons of it thrown out on an annual basis, as referenced in a previous blog. Much of this waste is medical or from research laboratories, with U.S. hospitals producing nearly six million tons of medical waste per year. This is why we at REUZEit are reconditioning used lab assets to get the most out of their life cycle, so that the environmental harms produced by manufacturing are compensated by extended years of use. 

Visible Results of Our Wasteful Economy

Putting our circular economy mission aside, the way we waste organic and inorganic materials has produced visible outcomes. From increased sea levels due to warming climates and changing weather patterns, many of us around the world have felt the effects of our own wasteful tendencies. There are many other gradual effects of climate change that have resulted from our wasteful economy. Though the increased greenhouse gas emissions at the hands of both organic waste and inorganic manufacturing have become primary drivers for rising temperatures and sea levels worldwide.

Join REUZEit In Supporting the Circular Economy

Let’s face it, investing in laboratory equipment for your scientific research is a necessary cost. Luckily, we’re committed to providing you with options that you can fit into your budget. Money saved on one product can be used to finance another resource that is just as important to your progress. Whether you’re searching for innovative chemistry lab equipment or looking to replace broken lab equipment, REUZEit offers low-cost solutions that work as hard as you do. Browse the best surplus and gently used biotech and pharmaceutical equipment on the market! Check out our USA-based store or our European-based store to shop discount laboratory equipment.