Why is anaerobic digestion so cool? It’s a great solution to the challenges we face with waste management. This process takes waste that would otherwise occupy a landfill, emitting potent GHGs, and turns it into usable products that benefit our communities! Here’s a quick overview of anaerobic digestion, thanks to our friends at the EPA: […]
Why is anaerobic digestion so cool? It’s a great solution to the challenges we face with waste management. This process takes waste that would otherwise occupy a landfill, emitting potent GHGs, and turns it into usable products that benefit our communities!
Here’s a quick overview of anaerobic digestion, thanks to our friends at the EPA:
Organic waste including manure, wastewater biosolids, and food waste, is put into the anaerobic digestion system (think of a container the shape of a silo or holding tank). Then, the system is closed to create the anaerobic (without oxygen) environment necessary for the waste to break down properly. The system then mixes the waste inputs together, ensuring everything is combined with special microbial communities that help digest the waste. Once this process is finished, you will be left with two great products – biogas and digestate!
The biogas produced, which is mostly methane, is a source of renewable energy that can be used to produce heat and electricity. The digestate is what is left of the waste inputs after the digestion (breaking down) process and can be applied to agricultural land to improve soil health.
Anaerobic digestion is a great option for diverting organic waste from landfills. This process reduces the volume of waste entering landfills, reduces methane emissions from landfills, and results in products that create healthier communities!
If you’re interested in how a program like this can impact your organization, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Sources
https://www.epa.gov/anaerobic-digestion/environmental-benefits-anaerobic-digestion-ad
https://www.epa.gov/agstar/how-does-anaerobic-digestion-work