Researchers at the University of Exeter are calling for action to cut down on the five and a half million tons of plastic being generated globally in the course of scientific research. Writing in Nature, they estimate that bioscientific research is responsible for 1.8% of total global plastic production, waste which weighs the equivalent of 67 cruise ships a year. The scientists estimated that the 280 investigators in their own bioscience department generated roughly 267 tons of plastic waste last year. On this basis, they worked out that the 20,543 biologically-oriented research institutions worldwide will be producing 5.5 million tons of plastic waste between them. 

Poll Question:
Do you believe the potential environmental impact of plastics should be prioritized over the cost of research and measures should be taken reduce single use plastic waste?

Yes
145

No
49

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