5.5 Recycling organic waste Flashcards
What is the general name for waste food, grass cuttings etc generated by houses and industry?
Organic waste
How is organic waste recycled? 2
Compost heaps in gardens
Councils collect garden waste to recycle it
Why is it important to recycle organic waste? 3
Reduce landfill
Reduce methane production
Allows nutrients to go back into the environment
What conditions are needed to efficiently turn organic waste into compost and why?
Air (oxygen) - that is why it is important to regularly mix compost heaps and have gaps in the side of the container
worms and microorganisms - they will breakdown and digest the material
moisture
Smaller pieces of material will rot quicker - surface area
Holes in side of container to allow heat to escape - may catch fire
What happens to composted organic waste?
Used as fertilizer in gardens/farms
