Biodegradable waste
Biodegradable Waste
Biodegradable waste (/ˌbaɪoʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbəl ˈweɪst/), also known as bio-waste or green waste, refers to any waste that can be broken down into carbon dioxide, water, methane or simple organic molecules by micro-organisms and other living things using composting, aerobic digestion, anaerobic digestion or similar processes.
Etymology
The term "biodegradable" comes from the Greek word "βιος" (bios), meaning "life", and the Latin "degradare", meaning "to reduce in rank". The term "waste" comes from the Old English "waste", meaning "desolate, waste".
Types of Biodegradable Waste
Biodegradable waste includes green waste such as garden and park waste, food and kitchen waste, and recyclable materials. Other types include paper waste, manure, sewage, and slaughterhouse waste.
Green Waste
Green waste refers to waste that can be composted. It includes waste from fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, grass clippings, leaves, branches, hedge clippings, and flowers.
Food and Kitchen Waste
Food and kitchen waste includes leftovers, peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds and eggshells. This type of waste can be composted at home or collected by local authorities.
Recyclable Materials
Recyclable materials include paper, cardboard, metal, glass and plastic. These materials can be recycled into new products.
Disposal and Treatment
Biodegradable waste can be treated and disposed of in several ways, including composting, anaerobic digestion, incineration, and landfill.
Composting
Composting is a process that involves the decomposition of organic waste by microorganisms in the presence of air.
Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digestion is a process where microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen.
Incineration
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials.
Landfill
Landfill is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment.
See Also
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