Ever since humanity started stepping up production during the Industrial Revolution, it's safe to say that we haven't exactly been the tidiest of species on this planet.
As comfortable as our way of life can be, it also generates a lot of waste and by-products of that waste can have serious effects on the world when it makes it into the planet's water and air resources.
And while we can observe the effects that this pollution has had on the planet, it can also carry some surprising consequences for humanity itself.
If you've even had a passing interest in the environmental impact we're having, all of what I've just said is likely old hat for you. But it seems that we're about as messy in our space travels as we are on Earth, which is creating a unique problem that researchers are now looking into a unique idea to solve.