Inés Tiscornia, assistant coordinator of the Biotechnology Laboratory, was interviewed on the radio program *Todo Pasa*, where she explained what biotechnology is and spoke about the importance of recycling.
When asked by reporters what biotechnology is, Tiscornia explained: “It is the use of organisms to produce a product or service that is useful to humans.”
“Science and biotechnology are everywhere—for example, in bread or yogurt, since these are fermented products. Bread uses yeast; when we add warm water and sugar, we provide nutrients and an optimal environment for the yeast to grow and produce the final product.”
He also mentioned that, to help students understand this field of science, the Biotechnology Laboratory at Universidad ORT Uruguay high schools with a kit containing various instruments.
“We demonstrate various experiments, but the one the students enjoy most is seeing and learning about microalgae—a research project conducted at the university—which are used to produce biofuel, bioplastics, or biofertilizer, as is the case at the sustainable school in Jaureguiberry.”
As an expert on recycling and the founder of a startup that promotes waste sorting and home composting, Tiscornia was also consulted on this topic.
He emphasized the importance of citizens taking an active role in ensuring that waste is diverted to the recycling stream.
Taking an active approach starts with cutting back on expenses, reusing what you have, choosing returnable containers, and dropping off bottles at drop-off locations.
Tiscornia also explained that it is important that “the bottles being discarded be empty, and that they be compressed if possible, because volume matters too,” and she noted that this material can be used to make “new bottles and fleece fabric.”