Benefits of Diverting all Vegetable Material Away from Landfill; In recent years, waste management professionals have frequently discussed diverting organic waste from landfills. We explain why diversion is only the first step in a virtuous circle towards much more sustainable organic waste disposal in this article. Continue reading to learn why sustainable organic waste disposal is more than just a matter of diverting.
Composting Organic Waste from Landfills
Organic waste, which includes food waste and green (garden or yard) waste, accounts for a sizable portion of the waste stream in many communities. When organic waste is disposed of in landfills, it decomposes anaerobically, releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Methane is a significant contributor to climate change, and lowering emissions is critical to mitigating the effects of global warming.
Reducing Methane Emissions and Creating Valuable Resources
Diversion is one method for reducing methane emissions from organic waste. Organic waste is diverted from landfills by separating it from other types of waste and processing it in ways that either recycle it or convert it into useful products. Composting, anaerobic digestion, and other forms of recycling are examples of this.
While diversion is an important aspect of organic waste disposal, it is not the only advantage. Organic waste, in fact, can be a valuable resource when diverted into other forms of recycling.
Composting
Composting is one method for converting organic waste into a useful product.
"Sustainable organic waste disposal" is written on the image.
Composting and Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Waste for Sustainable Agriculture and Energy
Composting organic waste converts it into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be used in landscaping and agriculture. Composting also reduces the need for chemical fertilisers, which can be hazardous to both the environment and human health.
Anaerobic digestion is another method for recycling organic waste. Anaerobic digestion is a method of breaking down organic waste in the absence of oxygen by using microorganisms. This generates biogas, which can be used to generate renewable energy. Biogas can be used to power generators, heat buildings, and power vehicles.
The Advantages of Organic Waste Disposal:
From lowering greenhouse gas emissions to promoting food security, there is something for everyone. Except the fact that some complain:
- I'm getting a bad smell!
- Organic waste can stink!
Organic waste recycling not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also creates new economic opportunities. Facilities for composting and anaerobic digestion can create jobs and stimulate local economies. Communities can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and reduce their carbon footprint by diverting organic waste from landfills.
There are social and environmental benefits to reducing food waste in addition to the benefits of recycling organic waste. Food waste is a major contributor to global and local hunger and food insecurity. Reducing food waste can help to ensure that food is available for those in need while also lowering the environmental impact of food production.
However, many readers may be wondering exactly what we mean by organic waste disposal. If so, the following section is for you:
Waste Disposal of Organics
Green waste, food scraps, paper, non-hazardous wood waste, and vegetation landscape materials are all examples of organic waste. It is an important component of recycling, which can be a win-win-win situation for the environment because it keeps waste out of landfills:
- reduces the amount of greenhouse gases produced by landfills, as well as the quantity of other pollutants produced by landfills
- provides a feed (fuel) to anaerobic digestion plants, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing a much-needed source of renewable energy.
Many cities around the world have implemented waste diversion programmes and technologies to reduce the amount of organic material that ends up in landfills. Composting and anaerobic digestion are examples of this.
Food scraps become an asset and are no longer a problem as a result of sustainable landfill diversion.
No, it's renewable energy, says Dung Daisy.
Food waste is a massive issue that takes many forms. Mountains of rejected fruits and vegetables in farm warehouses, dumpsters full of expired yoghurts, and a plethora of wasted leftovers from grocery stores and restaurants.
Food waste decomposes slowly and without oxygen in landfills. Over a 20-year period, this process emits methane, a greenhouse gas 84 times more potent than CO2.
Feeding organic waste to anaerobic digestion plants and then composting the digester output reduces methane emissions while also converting food scraps into a nutrient-rich fertiliser that can be used in gardens, farms, and landscaping.
It also saves landfill space, prevents water pollution, and keeps soil nutrients intact.
