About a third of all wastes generated by humans belong to the category of bio-waste or organic waste. Over the last fifty years, we have seen an unprecedented increase in generation of all types of waste. This is not only a grave concern for the health of the planet, but also for the animal and human population. This is the best way to counter this ever-growing issue is proper management and recycling of waste. The best thing about organic waste recycling is the wastes are reintroduced in this process to the usage cycle of the material. This minimises the negative environmental impact of organic wastes while reducing energy and production costs.
Understanding Organic Waste
Organic waste may be referred to as any biodegradable material originating from animals, plants, and microorganisms. This category of waste covers different plant matters, food waste, sewage sludge, and much more. Though organic waste contributes a major chunk of total waste generated by us, this type of waste material can be recycled rather easily. The products created from recycling of organic wastes are beneficial to the planet and improve the ecosystem by offering clean sources of energy.
Approximately two-thirds of the total organic waste generated can be attributed to households, while the remaining quantity comes from different economic activities. Out of all economic activities that produce organic wastes, agriculture contributes a sizeable portion. Restaurants across the globe are also significant organic waste producers.
The Process of Organic Waste Recycling
As mentioned earlier, organic waste mostly comprises animal waste, plant waste, food waste, agricultural waste, sewage sludge, and food processing waste. Compared to other types of wastes, organic wastes are easier to recycle because all organic materials are readily biodegradable.
Mentioned below are steps in a typical organic waste recycling process.
- Collection is the first step in recycling of organic waste. Wastes from various sources are collected and brought to a central location. After collection, sorting of the waste is also done based on its type.
- Cleaning and decontamination is the next step that involves removing plastic, bricks, glass, and other contaminants. The most common methods for decomposition include chemical treatment, biological treatment, as well as physical removal.
- The next step is known as the preparation step, where smaller pieces are created by breakdown of organic wastes so that they can be processed easily. In the step, the organic waste is also sorted to ensure more efficient recycling.
- The next step involves ascertaining the most appropriate method for recycling the waste. Two of the most common recycling methods at present include anaerobic digestion and recycling. Recyclability of any organic waste depends on a number of key factors such as the end-use of the recycled material, type of waste, and budget for recycling.
- Review and evaluation is the final step in this process. This is done to ensure that only the most nutrient-rich and finest recycled materials are used for crops and gardens. Recyclers review and evaluate their recycled materials before selling them for manufacturing new goods.
At Mastershred, we offer a sophisticated range of organic waste processors for turning organic waste into fertilisers. Please contact us today to find out more.