In general we use the word waste for unwanted things which is of no more use for us. But the fact is, nothing can be termed as waste. Using the theme of Reduce-Reuse-Recycle we can change the waste into resource. Even we can build a green land from the smelly, dirty looking and rotten food waste. Only thing to do is to change mind-set to handle it.

Food waste is generally termed as organic waste which includes kitchen waste, fruit shop waste, rotten vegetables and fruit waste.  Food waste is being mismanaged at all the stages in supply chain i.e. production, storage and consumption, on an average100kg food being wasted per person per year at consumption stage in developed countries. So here some questions arise what to do with this lots of organic waste (food waste) being generated? How do we manage it? How can we control the wastage of food at such a large scale? And if we can?t what would the easy way to convert it into resource. The first we should go for reduction and then recycle/reuse. In case of food waste we can use it as to build our lands green.

Food waste can be converted into organic manure (Compost) by using various techniques even in your kitchen/gardens/institutes and colleges. To start with effectively, segregate the waste from other components like metals, plastic, packing materials, rags and other household waste/institutional waste. After segregation dry the waste for some days in open air and after this shred the waste into smaller components (if possible), it will reduce the time of degradation. Put your waste into a compost bin (Bin Composting), pot hole (ditch composting) or static pile. Turn the waste at regular basis and add water when you feel waste is dried enough (to check the moisture level you can use the palm test method where you just take the waste into your wrist, press it if it does not detach and retain its ball shape then there is no need to add water if not then add water as per requirement). Water is basically needed for microbial growth which grows and multiplies and degrades the organic waste into organic manure. Once the colour of your waste turned brown or dark brown and foul smell disappear that means microbial activity has been completed. Now you further turn the waste to check, if there is any part of waste left behind without degradation. Repeat the process until you get all the waste degraded. After completion of degradation process remove the waste form bin/pot hole/static pile whichever you use, subject it into further shredding if you have facility or you want to get fine manure/compost. Add the manure/compost prepared, into your land to build it green.

The organic manure/compost enriches the soil with micro and as well as macro nutrient. Enhance the productivity and life of land. Most important fact is processing of organic waste into organic manure reduce the emissions of greenhouse gas (Methane) by mean of aerobic processing. When organic waste (food waste) subjected to landfill it emits foul gases (Hydrogen Sulphide & Ammonia etc) along with greenhouse gas i.e. methane (which Is major contributing gas for Global Warming). If we subject it into the aerobic degradation process by using any of the technique mentioned, we reduce the methane emissions.

So build your mother land into a greener land by providing it with nutrient enrich healthy manure and save the mother earth from the unsolicited impacts of global warming.

Farhan Ahmad

Eco-generation Ambassador for Pakistan