When it comes to recycling, everything gets complicated when there are different types of containers, we don't really know where to go. The organic trash it can create certain doubts when depositing in the container. This is because some people have a difficult time understanding well what organic matter is.
In this article we are going to solve all the doubts about organic waste, what are its characteristics and in which container it should be deposited.
What is organic waste
Organic waste refers to all substances that decompose in a part of the life cycle naturally, that is, waste of plant and animal origin that are easily biodegradable. We will explain it in more detail:
- On one hand, leftover food and leftovers from cooking, processing or food preparation processes, such as leftover walnuts, rind scraps, fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, fish bones, shellfish shells, spoiled food, bread scraps, dirt kitchen paper (napkins or paper towels), coffee and tea filters, bones , ... other items will also enter here, such as cork, sawdust, toothpicks, ice cream sticks, oriental food sticks, etc.
- On the other hand, garden debris, such as leaves, grass, dirt ... withered bouquets. Pruned vegetable fragments, such as branches or logs, etc.
We must all be aware of this type of recycling demand, regardless of scale: from private homes, to various businesses (supermarkets, hotels, health food stores, nurseries), public services (gardening, restaurant), to large-scale industrial production and processing. food.
What can organic waste do?
Using organic waste, it is possible to make compost - a disinfectant product that can be used as compost or even as energy, does not pollute and is part of the natural cycle - and biological waste. Composting is a process that we can carry out in our own homes. Yes, when you read it. It is easy: Instead of accumulating bags, we can facilitate the process by burying all the garbage in the ground or by using special containers called "compost bins" to generate organic compost.
Therefore, we generate our own compost to feed the orchard or garden for private use, and we will avoid the unpleasant smell that causes decomposition.
But if you don't have time to do it yourself, we tell you about the cycle of putting organic matter in the brown lid container. It reaches the factory, where proper ventilation, humidity and temperature conditions will also convert this waste into compost. While it is a natural process, It can accelerate the decomposition of this type of garbage for a better use of it.
By composting with worms, fuels can be obtained from natural sources, that is, biofuels that replace fossil resources. In earthworm composting, worms are even used to devour waste in large quantities.
However, despite the usefulness of recycling organic waste, it must be managed by reducing the amount generated (like most waste), which in turn means fighting against food waste.
- As a consequence of obtaining compost, the use of synthetic fertilizers that have a greater impact on the environment and improve soil quality is reduced.
- By recycling organic waste, it is easier to obtain biogas, which is a kind of renewable energy source, to bring our organic waste back to life.
- By preventing organic waste from entering landfills or incinerators, It can reduce environmental impact, odors and save energy because it can be produced in the form of biogas.
- Agriculture benefits from this quality compost that has great nutritional power for plant growth. As for biogas, it greatly helps to reduce pollution and the use of other raw materials in energy use.
Brown container
The brown container is a type of container that has appeared new and that many people have doubts about it. We already know that in the yellow container they go containers and plastics, paper and cardboard in blue, glass in green and organic waste in gray. This new container brings many doubts with it, but here we are going to solve them all.
In the brown container we will throw the garbage that is composed of organic material. This translates to most of the food scraps we produce. Fish scales, fruit and vegetable skins, food scraps from dishes, egg shells. These wastes are organic, that is, they degrade on their own over time. This type of residue can reach be part of up to 40% of everything that is produced in the home.
It should be borne in mind that most of the waste that is dumped into these containers will be food, although pruning and plant remains can also be dumped. One of the mistakes that many people make is pouring used oil into this container. There is already a designated container for this waste.
What to put in the brown container
We are going to list a list of waste that can be thrown into the brown bin to ensure that everything is in its order:
- Fruits and vegetables or their remains, both cooked and raw.
- Remains of cereals, legumes or vegetables. It also does not matter if they are cooked or not, it is still food and, therefore, degradable organic matter.
- Bread, pastries and cookies that we have left over or that have gone bad and we do not want to consume it.
- From the fruit we also throw away the bones, seeds, shells and whole nuts that have gone bad or we have left over.
- Any biodegradable material such as used kitchen paper, napkins, coffee remains (not the entire aluminum capsule, just the grounds), the bags in which the infusions come, the bottle corks, etc.
- Pruning remains, plants, dry leaves, flowers, etc.
- Sawdust, egg shells, meat, fish and shellfish.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about organic waste and its characteristics.