Waste Management: Turning Waste Into Wealthby HASSAN ABUBAKAR MUHAMMAD | 06-10-2021 21:35 |
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  Organic waste, or biodegradable waste, are natural type of refuse that comes from plants or animals. Examples of organic wastes include food waste, paper, plant sillage etc.When these wastes are improperly managed, the pose a significant risk to the environment and public health. Pathogens and harmful chemicals present in wastes can contaminate surface and ground water.Organic wastes also generates large amount of methane as they decompose. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere more than carbon dioxide. Given equal amount of methane and carbon dioxide, methane will absorb 86 times more heat than carbon dioxide.One of the sustainable methods of organic waste management is using them to produce biogas: a renewable source of energy. Biogas is produced after organic wastes are broken down by bacteria in an oxygen-free environment, a process called anaerobic digestion. "IN EVERY CLOUD, THERE IS A SILVER LINEN"Image Credits: Shutterstoc& Alamy Photos UNEP |
