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'''There is no such thing as garbage''', only wasted [[resources]]. | |||
All carbon based waste is a potential source of [[energy]], through [[biogas]], [[waste to oil]], [[gasification]] or turning it into [[briquettes]] to burn in an [[improved cook stove]] or heater. | |||
[[Sewage]] is a source of [[nutrients]], and treating it as merely a [[waste disposal|disposal]] problem misses an important [[economic opportunities in sustainability|opportunity]]. After the energy is extracted with a [[biogas digester]], the [[sewage sludge|sludge]] can be used (with suitable precautions) in [[agriculture]]. [[Composting toilets]] are another solution, which produce a greater bulk of rich [[compost]] compared to the biogas digester, but do not produce energy. | |||
[[Municipal waste]] is typically a mess of all kinds of resources: | |||
Municipal waste is typically a mess of all kinds of resources: | |||
* food waste that can be composted. This requires education (starting in schools) and a cultural shift. | * food waste that can be composted. This requires education (starting in schools) and a cultural shift. | ||
* | * plastic, glass and metal that cannot be [[recycling|recycled]], due to soiling, or being the wrong type.<ref>**In future we can expect the use of bioplastics, which can be more safely recycled, composted or used in a waste to energy process.</ref> | ||
** plastics of the wrong type which cannot be recycled - there are processes for converting such materials into second-grade material to make useful products.{{expand}} | |||
* miscellaneous items, e.g. items soiled with food.<ref>Is there a simple can the householder can tell what is suitable for recycling and what isn't? A [[guide to household recycling]], with pictures and authoritative information, would be very helpful.{{sp}}</ref> | * miscellaneous items, e.g. items soiled with food.<ref>Is there a simple can the householder can tell what is suitable for recycling and what isn't? A [[guide to household recycling]], with pictures and authoritative information, would be very helpful.{{sp}}</ref> | ||
** In future it may be practical to use paper and plastic items soiled with food in a waste to energy (SWERF | ** In future it may be practical to use paper and plastic items soiled with food in a waste to energy incinerator(SWERF - Solid Waste Energy REcycling Facility). | ||
== Industrial ecology == | |||
[[Industrial ecology]] is a practice of no waste in industry - every output is used in some way, rather than being allowed to waste. | |||
==Notes== | |||
<small><references/></small> | |||
[[Category:Green living]] | [[Category:Green living]] | ||
[[Category:Waste management]] | [[Category:Waste management]] | ||
Revision as of 15:22, 13 June 2008
There is no such thing as garbage, only wasted resources.
All carbon based waste is a potential source of energy, through biogas, waste to oil, gasification or turning it into briquettes to burn in an improved cook stove or heater.
Sewage is a source of nutrients, and treating it as merely a disposal problem misses an important opportunity. After the energy is extracted with a biogas digester, the sludge can be used (with suitable precautions) in agriculture. Composting toilets are another solution, which produce a greater bulk of rich compost compared to the biogas digester, but do not produce energy.
Municipal waste is typically a mess of all kinds of resources:
- food waste that can be composted. This requires education (starting in schools) and a cultural shift.
- plastic, glass and metal that cannot be recycled, due to soiling, or being the wrong type.[1]
- plastics of the wrong type which cannot be recycled - there are processes for converting such materials into second-grade material to make useful products.
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- miscellaneous items, e.g. items soiled with food.[2]
- In future it may be practical to use paper and plastic items soiled with food in a waste to energy incinerator(SWERF - Solid Waste Energy REcycling Facility).
Industrial ecology
Industrial ecology is a practice of no waste in industry - every output is used in some way, rather than being allowed to waste.
Notes
- ↑ **In future we can expect the use of bioplastics, which can be more safely recycled, composted or used in a waste to energy process.
- ↑ Is there a simple can the householder can tell what is suitable for recycling and what isn't? A guide to household recycling, with pictures and authoritative information, would be very helpful.[expansion needed]