Reducing the emission of greenhouse gasses

Fourth Official Post

What are some ways in which we can get rid of waste materials? A common way is to dispose them in a landfill. Another way is incineration. However, Anaerobic Digestion is a better way as it reduces negative effects to Earth by reducing greenhouse gasses.

Most countries set aside abandoned quarries or unused ones to create landfills. A well-maintained landfill will be cheap and hygienic but what if it is not? Those which are older or not well-managed will create environmental problems. Wind may blow litter away and disease-carrying pests might be attracted. Landfill also creates one very common product: greenhouse gas which mostly consists of methane and carbon dioxide. This is created when the waste breaks down anaerobically uncontrolled. The gas can be deadly, killing vegetation on the surface and worsening the conditions of global warming.

Thermal treatment or incineration is a way which involves the combustion of the materials. It will convert them into heat, gas, steam and ash. It is commonly found in countries where land is scarce as it requires lesser area than landfill-method. However, the combustion is not perfect and organics such as dioxins may be created in the incinerator. This may cause significant environmental problems in the area near the incinerator.

Landfill gas can actually cause explosions and fire and even contaminate the groundwater. However, in Anaerobic Digestion, the methane produced can be used to replace energy from fossil fuels. In landfills, the greenhouse gas will escape into the atmosphere after naturally being digested by anaerobic digesters. This is not the case in Anaerobic Digestion as the gas will not be able to escape. In addition, combustion is not required. Combustion will increase the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Anaerobic Digestion also conserves the Earth by reducing the emission of greenhouse gasses in a few other key ways:

Reducing vehicles movements
Reducing electrical grid transportation losses

All these prove that Anaerobic Digestion can help save the Earth in so many ways and benefit us greatly.