Marking Mother Earth Day 2025: Research Insights from the Green Energy and Environmental Technology Journal

Mother Earth Day serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the environment. Issues like plastic pollution and water contamination are pressing global challenges, demanding sustainable solutions. Recent research published in our Green Energy and Environmental Technology journal addresses some of these issues through science-driven approaches. 

To read more articles from the journal, click here.

Rethinking Plastic: Biodegradable Alternatives from Agricultural Waste

Plastic waste continues to impact ecosystems worldwide. Turning agricultural by-products into biodegradable materials offers one route forward. In research focused on bioplastic synthesis from waste corn, scientists developed a method to convert corn residues into bioplastics using a statistical approach to optimise strength, flexibility, and energy efficiency. The resulting material demonstrated potential in packaging and insulation.

Further work with orange peels and carboxymethyl starch proposes another promising biodegradable solution. Orange peels, often discarded as waste, are rich in natural compounds that help strengthen the material, while modified starch supports flexibility and structure, resulting in bioplastics with good mechanical properties and showing the potential of food waste as a resource for sustainable materials.

Tackling Water Pollution with Greener Methods

Pollution is increasing the pressure on our water systems. An article examining zeolite and ozone treatments has shown effective removal of ammonium nitrogen from wastewater. This method combines natural material with ozone to clean wastewater in a way that’s  less resource-intensive and more environmentally friendly than conventional treatments. The approach could help improve the quality of water discharged into natural environments, particularly in agricultural or industrial regions.

Supporting Better Agricultural Practices

Emamectin benzoate is a widely used insecticide, traditionally marketed in forms that rely on toxic organic solvents. In contrast, a new suspoemulsion formulation eliminates the need for susch solvents by using a naturally occurring emulsifier. It holds together well and mixes easily with water, which is important for everyday use in farming. The result is a pesticide formulation that supports more responsible and sustainable agriculture, aligning better with environmental protection goals while maintaining effectiveness.

Encouraging Sustainable Thinking

Building a sustainable future also depends on education and awareness. Research on sustainability perspectives engineering and technology graduates found generally positive attitudes, with differences in how sustainable technologies and stakeholder involvement were viewed. The findings show that many graduates see sustainability as important, and suggest that it should be a stronger part of technical education so future professionals are better prepared.

These articles point to important steps being taken across different areas of environmental research. From how we produce materials to how we educate the next generation, the focus is shifting towards more thoughtful and practical ways of working. Many of these efforts align with global goals - nearly 70% of the journal’s content contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), affirming the ongoing role of science in shaping a more sustainable future.