Do you still assume that organic waste is safe to be disposed of in the landfill? If so, it’s time to change that perception. Organic waste, in fact, should not be disposed of in the landfill as it poses a risk of harming the environment. But, how?
Organic Waste
First and foremost, we have to know very well what is included in the category of organic waste. Organic waste is produced by living things, either by humans, animals, or plants. It is divided into two types, wet organic waste and dry organic waste. Wet organic waste includes fruit (the skin too), vegetables, food scraps, and other waste that has high water content. Meanwhile, dry organic waste is the opposite, including cardboard, wood (or wood-made stuff), dry leaves, and others. By knowing organic waste, it will be easier for us to handle it in the future.
Why It’s Risky?
Organic waste is categorized as biodegradable, which will produce carbon dioxide, methane, pathogens, and other chemicals when decomposed. If not handled properly, the decomposition of organic waste is at risk of causing climate change on earth. For example, when organic waste is dumped into a landfill. With the lack of oxygen when it buried in the landfill, organic waste will undergo an anaerobic decomposition process. This process produces methane which is then released into the Earth’s atmosphere. This would cause a greenhouse effect 20 times stronger than carbon dioxide does. The composition of methane in the Earth’s atmosphere is indeed less than carbon dioxide. However, the composition may change as landfill is the largest source of methane produced from organic waste.
Take a Step Now!
So, what can we do to reduce the disposal of organic waste in the landfill? It can be started by separating organic and non-organic waste in our homes. This will make it easier for related parties to handle it later. There is also another method that is most common and easy to do, which is composting using a compost bin or container. These containers are used specifically for disposing of food or plant waste for later processing into compost. Composting can be done individually, but it is way better if done in groups, for example with the neighbors. For large-scale composting, it is also necessary to carry out by special markets or businesses that contribute large amounts of organic waste.
Of course, it is hoped that public awareness of waste management will increase immediately. And at the same time, accompanied by the efforts of the government or related agencies in supporting best and correct waste management. Although the journey is long, we can start from now, right?!