The average American produces 4.51 pounds of trash a day up from 2.68 pounds in 1960. Recycling has long been touted as the solution, but there are downsides to recycling too.

Pros and cons of recycling

Recycling can be an important part of waste management: effective recycling of all kinds of materials can prevent them from clogging up landfill, polluting the environment, and can avoid the environmental strain caused by manufacturing new items.

However, there are many issues associated with recycling. It’s important to understand these complexities in order to make more eco-friendly decisions not only around how you deal with your waste, but in how you live your life more generally.

Advantages of recycling

Before we dive into the issues and challenges associated with recycling, let’s take a look at the benefits of this approach and why it can be valuable in some circumstances.

Recycling helps reduce pollution

Traditionally, the world has dealt with its trash in one of two ways, both of which cause pollution:

In addition to these types of pollution, landfill also causes other kinds of environmental degradation. Most notably, large tracts of native habitats are cleared to make way for landfill, resulting in deforestation, which can, in turn, threaten endemic species, lead to water scarcity, and contribute to climate change.

One of the major benefits of recycling is that it can greatly reduce the amount of trash we send to landfills or incinerators, helping to reduce pollution as well as avoid other environmental problems associated with these approaches.

Additionally, responsibly recycling hazardous waste ensures that it won’t pollute the environment and threaten human health. For example, one quart of engine oil can contaminate over two million gallons of fresh water if not disposed of properly.

For advice on how to recycle or otherwise responsibly dispose of tricky household items, see our posts on LED light bulbs, kitchen knives, propane tanks, and broken glass.

Recycling cuts energy and resource use

By recovering materials rather than sending them to landfill, we don’t need to mine or manufacture new ones, thereby protecting our planet’s limited resources.

Furthermore, the mining and manufacturing industries damage the environment in a range of ways from clearing native habitats to leaching toxins into the soil and waterways and emitting greenhouse gasses which contribute to climate change.

Therefore, recycling materials can help to scale back these activities and reduce their negative impacts on the environment.

Recycling also helps to save on the energy needed to make these new products and materials. Although the recycling process uses some energy, this is generally much less than manufacturing new materials.

Glass, for example, requires less energy to recycle than manufacture, as existing glass melts at much lower temperatures than its raw materials. In this way, recycling helps to reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as having economic benefits.

Recycling raises awareness of environmental issues

Getting people to recycle can have impacts far beyond the initial effect of recycling that plastic bottle or BRITA filter. By getting more involved in this process and making an effort to dispose of our trash more responsibly, we become more conscious of our eco-footprint.

Essentially, going through our trash and recycling what we can makes us think about the environment and how we impact it, on a regular basis. It makes us think about how much waste we create, and may well encourage us to take steps to reduce this.

Furthermore, for anyone who wants to be more eco-friendly, recycling can be an easy first step to take, as well as being a great way to teach kids about environmental issues. It can also be an important part of a mindset shift that may open people up to be more environmentally-friendly in other ways too.

In some cases, this can pave the way for other lifestyle choices that go even further to protect the planet, such as composting, installing solar panels, or avoiding palm oil.

Recycling can save you money

Not only can recycling be beneficial to the environment, but it can also be advantageous to your wallet.

You can make money through recycling certain materials, most notably some types of metals – learn how here. You’re unlikely to earn large amounts this way, but it’s something!

Some towns also offer cash incentives for recycling glass items or aluminum cans. Products made from recycled materials are often cheaper, so opting for these kinds of products can save you some cash.

The recycling industry creates jobs

Recycling is a labor-intensive process: large numbers of people are needed to run recycling facilities, from transporting and processing waste to creating new products from recovered materials. In this way, the industry can create a range of skilled and semi-skilled jobs.

Ecocycle.org estimates that we would generate around 1.1 million jobs in the USA if the recycling rate increased to 75%. Currently, we recycle around 30% of solid municipal waste.

According to the same organization, recycling and reuse creates nine times more job opportunities than incinerators and landfill sites.

Furthermore, the recycling industry has the potential to drive economic growth, creating new jobs as it does.

Pitfalls of recycling

While recycling can be environmentally, socially, and economically beneficial, the wide-spread and aggressive campaigns promoting it over the past few decades have overlooked its risks and downsides. This has also led to it becoming something of a band-aid solution that can allow us to overlook the more challenging, underlying causes of our waste problems.

Our recyclables may be exported

China took almost half of the world’s recycling waste for decades until they banned the process in 2018. In the years immediately before the ban, many Western countries exported large volumes of their recyclables there: in 2016, the US alone sent them 16 million tons of paper, metal, and plastic.

Of these, around one-third were not recycled due to contamination and ended up littering the Chinese countryside and oceans instead. We continue to send our recycling to low-income countries across the world, such as Kenya, Senegal, Ethiopia, Ghana, Laos, Bangladesh, and Cambodia.

Not only does this pass the waste problem on to others who are probably less equipped to deal with it, but it means we lose control of the process and how much of these materials are actually recycled. Not to mention the greenhouse gas emissions generated by transporting literal mountains of trash across the globe.

We also lose control of how this waste is handled, as the Chinese example shows: around 1.5 million metric tons of plastic is dumped off the coast of the country every year. It’s disturbing to think how much of this may be our own waste that we dutifully sent to recycling.

Furthermore, as more countries institute bans against accepting foreign recyclables – Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia quickly followed China and introduced laws against importing plastic waste – we need to look for other options. As a result, we’re increasingly relying on countries with poor environmental protections, opening this situation up to even worse impacts on the planet.

Recycling inadvertently encourages us to use disposable items

Critics say that recycling gives us a false sense of security, as it makes us feel like we’re solving our waste problem when really it’s only slowing down or delaying the damage we’re causing the environment. 

Recycling isn’t really the ultimate solution to pollution and waste management as it uses large amounts of energy, is expensive, and can be hazardous to people and the environment if not done properly.

Furthermore, plastics can only be recycled a limited number of times: usually once or twice, so we still need to keep manufacturing more plastic items.

It can even encourage us to use non-recyclable materials. For example, not all plastics are readily recyclable, but many people don’t understand this, so may use them under the false assumption that they can be recycled.

In this way, recycling can potentially do more harm than good by allowing us to justify using disposable items, not to mention using energy and resources as well as producing pollution and greenhouse gasses during the manufacture of these items and during the recycling process itself.

Recycling programs also fail to address our biggest source of waste. In the US, food waste makes up the biggest proportion of municipal trash.

Food can’t be recycled, so by focusing on recycling as the main solution, we’re overlooking this key issue. Food waste not only clogs up landfills and emits pollution as it breaks down there, but producing much more food than we need has a range of negative impacts on the environment, from the use of toxic fertilizers and pesticides to contributing to climate change.

Recycling requires consumers to carefully prep their recycling

Another major problem is it relies on individuals to prepare their recyclables properly before putting them out curbside or sending them to a recycling facility.

Recyclables can be contaminated by food waste or because they’re mixed with materials the recycling facility won’t accept, such as straws and plastic bags. Such items are a huge red flag for recycling centers as they could get stuck in machinery and damage very expensive equipment.

If items are not thoroughly cleaned and properly sorted it not only makes that item unrecyclable, but it contaminates the whole load. Essentially, one greasy food container could mean that an entire truck of recyclable materials gets sent to landfill.

Recycling uses energy and can generate pollution

Unlike reducing and reusing, recycling is a fairly energy-intensive process. Unless this energy is produced from renewable sources, it means relying on finite fossil fuels, which also generates greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.

Waste to energy plants could be a solution to this issue, but are not common in the USA.

Although recycling generally consumes less energy than sourcing and producing new materials, it’s better to avoid this energy use at all, for example, by reducing our consumption.

Properly recycling everything from plastic to silicon does not generally cause pollution and eliminates the soil, air, and water pollution caused by other forms of waste disposal. However, if the recycling process is not managed properly, it can contaminate the environment in a range of ways.

Electronics, for example, are sometimes sent to developing countries for recycling, where non-recyclable components may be thrown out, polluting land and waterways if that country doesn’t have strong regulations in place to prevent this.

Likewise, if plastics are not processed properly, they can release VOCs, volatile organic compounds, when they melt, which pose a risk to both human health and the environment. This can be damaging to human health, as well as pollute the local environment, threatening plants and animals.

Along with environmental risks, there can also be safety risks for workers if facilities are not properly managed. For example, If facilities don’t take proper safety precautions, workers may be exposed to toxic components when they hand-sort trash or handle recyclable materials.

Recycling is actually expensive

Recycling is an expensive process, and this is even more true of the initial costs required to set up recycling programs and infrastructure in the first place.

Import bans from China and other countries have also made recycling less economically viable. Just a few years ago, local governments across the US could make money selling recyclable materials.

These sums were generally modest – not a substantial revenue stream, but enough to make it worthwhile for sanitation departments to recycle all kinds of materials. However, now the situation has completely reversed, with towns needing to pay huge sums of money to run their recycling programs.

The US’ dependence on exporting recyclables for so many years meant that, unlike some European countries for example, we never developed extensive recycling infrastructure, exacerbating these issues.

The comparative cost of recycling also depends on other waste disposal options and how expensive they are. For example, in the US, it’s relatively easy and affordable to find space for landfills, making recycling programs a less attractive option.

This cost-benefit ratio relationship means some materials are more difficult to recycle than others and makes the future of recycling uncertain. Around 100 towns have already suspended their curbside recycling programs.

The real question is how long will cash-strapped local authorities sponsor our addiction to disposable materials?

How can we fix the recycling problem?

One solution that would address some of the issues associated with recycling in the US would be to invest in recycling systems and infrastructure. This would make the process more efficient and cost-effective, making it more viable for local authorities to sponsor local recycling programs.

In turn, this would reduce our reliance on exporting our recyclable materials, giving us more control over how much of our waste is actually recycled and under what conditions, and avoid dumping our waste problems on other countries.

This investment would also need to be matched by a commitment by authorities to sponsor recycling programs, as even with better infrastructure, these processes are still costly. 

Encouraging businesses to use recycled materials in their products would also help to expand the domestic market and make recycling more economically viable, though it’s unlikely to cover all costs.

Legislation to restrict or eliminate landfill could also be part of the solution. Making it more expensive to send our trash to landfill would make recycling comparatively more affordable.

Simply put, as things stand, we make it too easy to send waste to landfill, passing the cost on to the environment instead.

A more radical approach could be to pass the cost of recycling disposable materials on to the companies that produce them, such as by requiring brands to pay a deposit or penalty for selling products in certain types of packing or containers. This would ultimately pass the cost on to the consumer, as manufacturers would undoubtedly put their prices up accordingly.

However, it would also encourage both brands and their customers to explore other options, including truly zero-waste solutions.

Although these steps can help to make recycling more efficient and cost-effective, a big part of the solution should also be pursuing alternatives in order to reduce our reliance on recycling.

Viable alternatives to recycling

While recycling undoubtedly has its place in both waste management and living an eco-friendly lifestyle, it’s not the end of the story. In fact, recycling should arguably be seen as a last resort after you’ve tried other approaches to dealing with and eliminating waste.

Go zero-waste

A zero-waste approach can go a long way to minimize our impact on the environment. There are a range of ways to achieve a zero-waste lifestyle, such as:

• Only buy products in reusable containers, and get refills of everything from grains to shampoo
• Compost your organic waste
• Look for zero-waste products such as toothpaste, deodorant, and even toilet paper
• Get creative and reuse, repurpose, and upcycle whenever possible
• Buy second-hand clothing and accessories rather than new items

Going completely zero-waste can be a challenge, especially at first. However, avoiding single-use plastics with reusable bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags can be a good start.

Opt for quality over quantity

Another powerful way to reduce both our rate of consumption and the amount of waste we produce is by buying quality products.

Society has become geared toward cheap, disposable products. Much of what we buy today, from clothing and electronics to single-use plastics, is only built to be used for a short period of time before it breaks, wears out, or stops working.

On the surface, this doesn’t matter, as we can easily buy a replacement for a nominal cost. However, the cost is passed on to the environment through the additional drain on resources and energy needed to manufacture new items, not to mention the waste that is produced.

In contrast, when we buy good-quality items that last a long time, they don’t need to be replaced so often, so we throw away less. Additionally, less energy and resources need to be used to produce the replacement items we buy.

We can even go a step further and try to cut down on the amount of stuff we buy entirely. It’s important to buy quality-made products, but in some cases, we can avoid buying anything at all by adopting a more minimalist approach.

Repair rather than throw away

All too often, we throw away items that could be as good as new with a little TLC. Your toaster breaks, and instead of taking it to the repair shop, you jump online to buy a new one.

Likewise, the heel comes off your favorite pair of boots (an easy fix), and you buy a new pair, or rather than mending a ripped seam in that near-new sweater, you get a new one.

The low cost and easy availability of all kinds of consumer items are largely to blame for this: it’s often quicker and even cheaper to buy a replacement than to have it repaired (or fix it yourself).

However, the cost to the earth is immense: every new product we buy takes energy and materials to make and probably produces pollution in the process. What’s more, our old item becomes trash that ends up in landfill or pollutes our waterways.

In contrast, repairing things typically involves minimal use of energy and resources, making this a huge net gain for the environment.

Should we skip recycling?

The short answer to this question is no: we shouldn’t ditch recycling entirely. Recycling can be an effective way to deal with trash and can form a vital part of a multifaceted approach to waste management and looking after the environment more generally.

However, over-reliance, particularly using recycling as an excuse not to pursue other tactics, is highly problematic, especially over the long term.

Arguably, we should see recycling as a short-term solution while we restructure how society functions, from production to consumer habits, in order to slash the amount of waste we produce or, better still, eliminate it entirely.

Check out our guides to recycling difficult items like cork and razor blades, and learn more about going zero-waste.

6 key environmental issues and movements in Japan

With over 125 million people living on a series of islands, Japan is a densely-populated country. It’s also biologically diverse with a range of climates and types of habitats, giving it a unique set of environmental issues and challenges.

The Japanese government and population are rising to this challenge, with a range of innovative solutions and policies, some of which set an example for the rest of the world to follow. Let’s take a closer look at the key environmental issues in Japan, and how the nation is tackling them head-on.

1. Waste management

Waste is a critical global issue, but managing waste is especially problematic in Japan, thanks to its dense population and high level of development. The country is the world’s second-highest generator of plastic packaging waste, with total volumes of municipal waste increasing exponentially since the mid-20th century, as the island nation rapidly industrialized.

Japan has long relied on incineration to deal with the large amounts of waste its population produces, destroying almost two-thirds of its trash this way. While countries like the US send the majority of their waste to landfill, this simply isn’t an option for Japan, which lacks the space to accommodate large landfill sites.

While sending trash to landfill has its own environmental implications, incinerating trash is perhaps even more problematic. It releases particulate matter, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals into the air which can be damaging to the environment as well as to human health.

This is one of the reasons that Japan has high levels of dioxins in its atmosphere, a group of compounds that are classified as persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). Dioxins can accumulate in the food chain, and threaten human health when ingested via food.

In 2001, the US Department of Justice raised issues with Japan over health risks to American service members stationed in the country. The DoJ claimed these deaths were caused by pollution from the Jinkanpo Atsugi Incinerator, and worked with the Japanese government to close the facility.

In recognition of this issue, local communities and municipalities have started introducing initiatives to slash the amount of waste they produce, mostly through recycling. Governments at various levels are supporting this movement through sponsoring technological advancements in incineration and recycling, as well as better packaging labeling and other policies to encourage recycling.

The town of Kamikatsu, for example, set a goal to become zero-waste by 2020. In 2018, the town reported an 81% recycling rate, which is very impressive compared to just under 24% of US municipal waste.

2. Nuclear power and radioactive waste

Japan was one of the countries that is the most reliant on nuclear power, generating around one-third of its electricity prior to 2011, but this has fallen significantly since then. This creates another critical waste management issue: how to deal with radioactive materials.

The nation is making moves to establish an underground storage site for radioactive waste, but the high level of seismic activity in Japan has led to a range of concerns over the underground storage of nuclear waste.

Public support for nuclear energy, which was previously very high, has waned since the 2011 incident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. A tsunami triggered a meltdown at three of the facility’s nuclear reactors when the loss of power caused their cooling systems to fail.

Now only 18% of the Japanese population is in favor of nuclear reactors.

In 2021, Japan attracted international criticism for dumping contaminated wastewater from the decade-old disaster into the Pacific – further highlighting its struggles with dealing with radioactive waste.

Therefore, the long-term solution may be to move towards less problematic sources of energy such as renewables. Japan is already making significant strides in this direction – more on this later.

3. Fishing and whaling

Overfishing is an issue in many parts of the world, but it’s particularly pertinent in the island nation of Japan, whose diet relies heavily on fish and fish products.

The average Japanese person eats around three pounds of fish a day. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the country is one of the world’s biggest catchers of fish, resulting in overfishing in Japan’s waters with consistently declining fish stocks. As a result, Japan has tightened its rules on fishing in recent years.

Whaling is another key environmental issue. Whale meat was an important part of the traditional Japanese diet, served raw and cooked in a number of dishes.

In 1986, Japan banned commercial whaling in 1986, “research whaling” never stopped, and limited commercial whaling in Japan’s own waters resumed in 2018.

On the other hand, the Japanese government emphasizes that it is an important part of their culture and argues that whaling can be conducted responsibly and sustainably. Though they set caps on the number of whales that boats can kill as part of sustainability quotas, this move continues to be met with international outcry.

4. Disappearing coral reefs

In 2016, Japan’s largest coral reef, the Sekiseishoko reef in the Sekisei lagoon experienced a mass bleaching event, destroying around 70% of the coral, with over 90% at least partially bleached.

The reef had been notable not only for its beauty and size, but also its diversity; over 400 different types of coral had been observed there.

The causes of this catastrophic event have been identified as rising sea temperatures due to climate change, as well as the introduction of starfish that eat the coral.

This issue is not unique to Japan, with rising sea temperatures impacting coral reefs all around the world. The world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, has reportedly lost half of its corals over the past 20 years.

The solution also needs to be a global one: scientists argue that we need dedicated, worldwide action to reduce carbon emissions and prevent further rising temperatures, both on land and in the ocean.

5. Protecting biodiversity and endangered species

According to National Geographic, Japan is one of 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world, that is, places where an exceptional number of unique species are surviving under the threat of extinction. Therefore, protecting this biodiversity and preventing important species from becoming extinct is another key environmental challenge the country faces.

Since the 1980’s, scientists have understood the importance of biodiversity and the need to protect every species in order to avoid upsetting the fragile balance of nature’s ecosystems. Japan is made up of nearly 7000 different islands, formed by tectonic activity and spanning a range of climates.

The country’s plants and animals evolved over time, adapting to these conditions, and being left largely untouched in isolation for millions of years. Nearly half of its animals and reptiles and around one-third of its plants are unique to Japan, giving the nation a responsibility to protect them.

It is rising to this challenge, with the Japanese government leading the way with a range of initiatives to protect its unique species and biodiversity. These include working with farmers to reduce their use of pesticides and fertilizers to protect the broader ecosystem, and breeding programs for endangered species.

Many see Japan as setting an example for other countries to follow in protecting their own native species and promoting biodiversity.

6. Japan’s green future: carbon neutral by 2050

In recent years, Japan has become a global leader in carbon neutrality. The world’s fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, in 2020 the country announced that it planned to be carbon neutral by 2050.

This will be no mean feat: in 2018, Japan produced more than one billion tons of greenhouse gases, so reducing this to net zero will be an enormous challenge. It will involve completely reimagining the country’s industrial structures and implementing sustainable practices at all levels, from individuals to large companies.

A big part of the government’s approach is heavy investment in new green technologies, from the research and development phase to full-scale commercialization and implementation. To do this, the Japanese government launched a 2 trillion yen ($15 billion) innovation fund in December 2020 which promises to fund everything from next-generation solar panels to hydrogen planes and cargo ships and fuel cell vehicles.

Another initiative is to make sure 100% of all new passenger car sales are of electrified vehicles by 2035, an area where Japan is already a global leader. Other approaches include building post-combustion CO₂ capture plants and massive offshore wind turbines.

Although the plan is being driven by the Japanese government, the business sector is also stepping up, with many companies and business associations adopting low-carbon action plans as part of a shifting culture towards sustainability.

However, it’s important to consider how much this relies on nuclear power: Japan’s plan involves revitalizing its nuclear industry and even building new plants. Given the concerns of nuclear power, and Japan’s particular issues with disposing of reactive waste, this could lead to further environmental and safety issues in the future.

Final thoughts

Though the country is unique in many ways, many of the environmental issues Japan faces are shared by the rest of the world. From coral bleaching and species extinction to dealing with radioactive waste and striving for carbon neutrality, there are a range of lessons we can learn from the island nation, both good and bad.

In particular, the country is taking amazing strides towards becoming carbon neutral in just a few decades, all the more impressive given its status as one of the world’s biggest emitters. However, this approach relies partly on increased reliance on nuclear energy, which comes with its own environmental concerns.

For more on the nuclear power debate, take a look at this guide to the pros and cons of nuclear energy or learn more about the types of renewable energy.

Difference Between Non-Biodegradable And Biodegradable Material

The primary difference between non biodegradable and biodegradable material lies in how it decomposes. At every tick-tock of the clock, various industries, factories, and farms around us produce billions of solid materials. Later on, these materials get shipped to the different consumption points where they are expected to serve their purpose.

Anything that exists around us is either a biodegradable material or a non-biodegradable material. From the plastic bottle that you use to pack your water to those paper documents on your office desk, everything has a side to pick.

Technology advancements have eased our lives by birthing an innovative form of life, but on the other hand, erratically affecting the environment and other life-systems. For instance, the plastic water bottles are convenient, but their disposal is a veritable demise to the environment.

The knowledge of the two forms of materials will significantly ensure that the environmental risks associated with waste disposal are averted.

Additionally, with the heightened ecological conservation awareness, it is quite crucial to understand the difference between non-biodegradable and biodegradable material.

What is Biodegradable Material?

A biodegradable material refers to any substance that can quickly decay or instead breakdown naturally. Agents that facilitate this natural breakdown process include bacteria, microorganisms, sunlight, air, soil, water, ozone, and many more natural agents.

The biodegradable materials are generally natural substances, and they happen to be non-toxic.

Biodegradable wastes are waste materials that get decomposed easily through natural factors. Abiotic elements, as well as other microorganisms, work together in breaking down the complex materials into simple organic matter which can become a part of the soil.

Decomposition of the biodegradable materials is beneficial to the soil as it increases its fertility as well as improves the soil structure.

However, it is vital to ensure that biodegradable waste is disposed of appropriately. The fact that biodegradable materials decay naturally, the mode of disposal would render them harmful to the environment.

Unplanned dumping of huge biodegradable waste piles may pose some severe threats to the environment, such as exposure to diseases or water pollution.

Examples of Biodegradable Material

The biodegradable materials are natural substances, mainly from plants and animals. These are vegetables, fruits, paper, and leather products, among others.

Biodegradable wastes are commonly composed of kitchen and food wastes, paper waste, green waste, as well as biodegradable plastics.

Other sources of biodegradable waste include sewage, human waste, as well as slaughterhouse waste.

See Related: 9 Best Ethical, Sustainable Gift Ideas

What is Non-biodegradable?

Have you ever seen materials that remain for quite a long time in the environment without breaking down? I bet maybe you have recalled some old plastic can that you once threw out of the window and to your amazement, later on, found it still in shape after a few years.

The non-biodegradable materials cannot be degraded by any natural or biological process, thus causing them to remain for quite a long period in the environment.

Non-biodegradable substances typically include inorganic substances, and not every content is eco-friendly. Besides, the fact that natural organisms can not decompose these materials makes them a dangerous source of environmental pollution.

It is undeniable that it is quite an uphill task to take care of the non-biodegradable waste. Ironically, the non-biodegradables are the most manufactured packaging materials, low cost, convenient to use, as well as readily available. Unfortunately, these materials do not add any value back to the environment once they become waste but rather pile up for thousands of years.

Examples of Non-biodegradable Material

The most common example of a non-biodegradable material is plastic. Plastics are common all around the globe and in any field. These plastics are manufactured in such a way that they exhibit strength and durability, which makes them harder to control after use.

For instance, such a small thing as glitter is essentially a type of microplastic that don’t biodegrade but instead exist for years polluting land and water.

Other examples include chemicals, metals, glass, polythene bags, and many more. However, it is crucial to consider metals as a unique option. Some metals are biodegradable, while others are not.

Some metals, such as magnesium, are easily absorbed by living organisms while other ferrous metals are easily degraded through oxidation; thus making them biodegradable. Other metals such as gold hardly react with natural processes, thus making it non-biodegradable.

Five Main Differences Between Biodegradable And Non-biodegradable Materials

1. As earlier discussed, the main difference between non-biodegradable and biodegradable material stems from the definition. The biodegradable materials naturally degrade with time, facilitated by natural agents such as bacteria, air, water, soil, and many others.  On the other hand, non-biodegradable materials do not decay naturally, and the natural agents of decomposition do not affect them.
2. Concerning the rate of degradation, non-biodegradable materials can maintain their originality and fail to decompose, or the process might be too slow taking thousands of years. Even though the decomposition of a biodegradable material may not happen overnight, the rate of decay is much faster in comparison to non-biodegradable.
3. At the very end, biodegradable substances break down and enter the biogeochemical cycles, which is eventually beneficial to the environment. Since the non-biodegradable substances do not break down naturally, they cannot become part of any biogeochemical cycles. This fact makes non-biodegradables to be toxic to the environment.
4. The other difference between non-biodegradable and biodegradable material is the fact that biodegradable elements are organic substances, while most non-biodegradable materials are inorganic substances.
5. It is easy to dispose of biodegradable materials as they decay and integrate with the soil while it is a different case with non-biodegradable products. It is quite hard and expensive to dispose of non-biodegradable waste since they have to be separated and collected to minimize pollution.

Well, the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances does not end there. How about their pollutants? How do biodegradable and non-biodegradable pollutants affect the environment?

Biodegradable And Non-biodegradable Pollutants

Life depends on a balanced environment or rather an ecosystem for development and growth. Once this balance gets tipped off, the survival of living organisms is huddled up. The disturbance, later on, grows into various disconnects within the environment affecting human life as well.

The amount of waste being heaped all around the world is continuously increasing. This increase is a notable fact once you tour around dumpsite and compare the current levels against previous years.  Billions of wastes get produced each year while new products are in line to be a pile of garbage in the future.

These wastes result from the activities within our homes, industries, and businesses. Additionally, the increased population, more so within cities, is another factor that is facilitating the massive amounts of wastes. Well, some may argue that biodegradable materials are safer than non-biodegradable materials, but the fact is that massive wastes are an environmental problem.

Whether the waste is biodegradable or non-biodegradable, they both happen to be pollutants, thus harmful to the environment as well as human life. The difference between non-biodegradable and biodegradable material trickles down also to how the contaminants affect the environment. Therefore, let us look at how biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials pollute the environment.

Biodegradable Pollutants

Biodegradable pollutants can eventually break down into harmless components with time as they result from biodegradable waste.  This waste might amount to be hazardous and potentially cause damage when they are in surplus amount or not properly dumped within the environment. Biodegradable pollutants can affect the environment in several ways.

The effects include:

• The biodegradable pollutants can produce enormous amounts of flora. If we don’t dispose of the waste properly, or if we leave them in the open, the microbial flora that is present around the waste heap can cause diseases in plants, animals, and humans.
• Another way in which biodegradable pollutants affect the environment is by their foul smell. During the process of decaying, organic materials generally produce a sharp foul smell which might make it uncomfortable to hang around within the surrounding environment.
• Biodegradable waste releases gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. Biodegradable wastes decompose into organic carbon which later on breaks down to water and carbon dioxide. Increased carbon dioxide in the environment contributes to greenhouse gases.
• A significant presence of biodegradable waste in water bodies affects marine life directly or indirectly. When the waste reaches the water bodies, the microbial flora may cause diseases to marine life. Additionally, when organic waste decomposes into organic carbon, it can encourage the presence of oxygen-consuming organisms.
• Biodegradable dumpsite might as well happen to be breeding grounds for vectors and transporters which may spread communicable diseases. Examples of these vectors include rats, houseflies, and mosquitoes, among other agents.

Non-biodegradable Pollutants

Non-biodegradable pollutants result from the non-biodegradable materials. Some of the effects of non-biodegradable pollution include:

• By the fact that non-biodegradable waste does not break down quickly, they might, therefore, lead to landfills upon continuous disposal. The dumps render the land unproductive for any other activity since the waste might stay for hundreds of years without breaking down.
• The non-biodegradables, more so plastics, pose a threat since the burning of plastics releases toxic gases into the environment. Most people switch to this option to curb the landfill challenge. The exposure of these gases to the environment facilitates the greenhouse effect and may also cause acidic rain once the falling droplets react with the gas particles.
• In addition to the toxic gases, inhaling these fumes may lead to respiratory tract infections as well as other diseases such as tuberculosis. Therefore, we can all agree, burning them to minimize landfills is not a good option either.
• When non-biodegradable materials are exposed to air and water for quite an extended period, they release toxic pollutants. For instance, plastics may oxidize and issue out poisonous salts which are carcinogenic. If the toxins find their way into water supplies or enter the food chain, the aftermath would be fatal for humans, animals, and plants as well.
• Disposal of non-biodegradable wastes into water bodies may also disturb aquatic life as well as propel eutrophication. 

Reformative Steps to Take

Effective and efficient handling of waste ought to be emphasized. It should not only be the government’s or environmental organizations’ duty, but rather every living soul. If we all played a part in waste management, it would significantly reduce the environmental pollution risks and raise the hopes of a better tomorrow brought to life.

The first step to take is to ensure that we separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. Afterward, one can throw the biodegradable waste into a pit and then covered with soil. The pit ensures that the waste decomposes and adapts to the soil without polluting the environment.

With the non-biodegradable waste, the most efficient way of handling it is using the three R (3R) concept. This concept is a trend that aims at minimizing environmental pollution through non-biodegradable waste. The 3 ‘R’s stand for reducing, recycle, and reuse.

We have seen that these materials do not quickly decompose; therefore, reusing and recycling the materials will be a great way of minimizing pollution as well as more productive. Instead of throwing the plastic into the garbage pit, the same plastic can be melted and used to create another plastic product. The 3R concept is a win-win situation for both the manufacturers as well as environmental conservers.

Conclusion On The Difference Between Non-biodegradable And Biodegradable Material

The terms biodegradable and non-biodegradable generally refer to the effect a substance might have on the environment. Besides, understanding the difference between non-biodegradable and biodegradable material will remarkably reduce the pollution levels as well as encourage the use of biodegradable materials.

Has this post offered useful insights on degradable and non-degradable material? Give us your thoughts in the comments area.

Related Resources

• 53 Important Facts About Landfills You Need to Know
• 6 Key Environmental Issues in Japan You Should Know
• 5 Best Reusable K Cup Options to Become More Eco-Friendly

Green Coast is a renewable energy community solely focused on helping people better understand renewable energy technologies and the environment.

53 Important Facts About Landfills You Need to Know

Waste management is a critical issue that may be caused by human interaction with the environment. A growing population means a growing need for proper waste management.

Here we will highlight several statistics about waste management and landfills that you should know.

These statistics will help you make better decisions about how you approach the 3Rs of waste management and even living a zero-waste lifestyle.

What Are Landfills?

Landfills are sites or places set aside for waste materials disposal through burial. We can also refer to them as garbage dumps, rubbish dumps, or dumping ground among other names. Landfills are the earliest forms of waste disposal and treatment.

Traditionally, the waste would be left to decay or decompose by itself without being buried, but presently, the process involves burying the waste. Currently, these sites are also useful in the process of waste management, as they act as temporary waste consolidations and storage sites, before recycling.

There are numerous facts about landfills and pollution that we ought to learn.

More knowledge of these worrisome facts about landfills will help us become more environmentally friendly.

List of Important Waste Management And Landfill Statistics

Here are some of the most shocking statistics on waste management and landfills. Use these facts as a way to get smarter about your consumption.

1. Only 5% of waste plastic gets recycling with the remaining portion ending up in landfills (3% of it ends up in oceans and rivers)
2. If the United States converted all its non-recycled plastics into oil, each year the country would produce 5.7 billion gallons of transportation fuel
3. In 2014, the class of plastics, including sacks, bags, and wraps cost 14.3$ to recycle.
4. There are more than 2,000 landfills spread throughout the country, we are increasingly exposing our environment to pollution.
5. Beneath this disguise that we put on landfills to make them look better, there consists toxins and greenhouse gases that are really dangerous. If we continue with this ignorance, future generations will have a lot on their plates to deal with in terms of health. Every emission from the landfills poses a great danger to the surroundings and its survival.
6. American disposes of over 1,200 pounds of organic junk which they can easily compost by getting a container for an apartment composting or building a compost bin in the backyard.

We must take care of our environment to ensure that even the generations to come will have a place to call home. One thing we can do to guarantee this is through recycling. We should strive to recycle a higher percentage of our total wastes to ensure that less waste ends up in landfills.

Facts About Landfills And Recycling

1. Statistics show that only one-tenth of the total waste produced in the US is recycled. The rest nine-tenths of the total solid waste goes to landfills.
2. Despite all the efforts and campaigns to promote recycling, only 30% of the waste in the US goes to recycling centers. This is a very small amount considering that 75% of the waste we produce in the United States, is in fact, recyclable.
3. When we recycle one plastic bottle, statistics show that we save enough energy that we can use to light a 10-watt bulb for around 4 hours. The recycling process will also create less air pollution by 20%, and 50% less in water pollution as compared to when producing a new bottle.
4. Things like motor oil only get dirty and don’t wear out. Therefore, it’s economical and environmentally friendly to recycle it instead of disposing of it in landfills.
5. The current rate of recycling in the US is about 34.5%. We should add more efforts to ensure that this number rises to around 75%, which can have a great positive impact on the environment. If this number would increase to the 75% mark, it will be as if we have removed 50 million passage vehicles from our roads.

More Facts On Waste Material Recycling

If we take more initiatives to protect waste materials, from reaching the landfills, we will be saving our future. It doesn’t matter whether these materials are compostable or not; all of them add to environmental pollution. Here are more facts about landfills and recycling.

6. Top five cities that lead in recycling efforts in the US include San Francisco, CA at number one, followed by Boston, MA, and Chicago, IL, at number three. Denver, CO, and Portland hold number four and five, respectively.
7. The first five countries that lead in recycling include Switzerland with 52%, Australia at 49.7%, and Germany at the third position with 48%. Netherlands and Norway hold number four and five, with 46% and 40% respectively.
8. In every ten people, nine say they would participate in recycling if only it were an easier process.
9. Research shows that in the United States, recyclable packaging and containers worth $11.4 billion is thrown away each year. All this amount ends in landfills, adding to our continued misery.
10. Various studies indicate that on average, more women than men, are environmentally conscious. Therefore, women are more likely to do recycling, unlike most men.
11. Recycling is way cheaper than disposing your waste into the landfills or even incinerating it.

Facts About Landfill And Pollution

12. Gas emissions are one of the major environmental hazards that comes from landfills. These waste sites produce carbon dioxide and methane gases which both cause greenhouse effects in the atmosphere. Landfills also produce volatile organic compounds, although in small quantities, from organic materials decomposition by bacteria.
13. Despite the fact that the landfills are well disguised, it doesn’t remove the fact that more and more greenhouse gases enter our atmosphere every single day.
14. The incineration process generates dioxin, nitrogen compounds, and sulfur, furans, heavy metals like lead and mercury, as well as particulate matter.
15. If during the process, the air mixture and temperature are not ideal, other multiple products are released. These include chlorinated hydrocarbons, aldehydes, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, and more.
16. The largest percentage of all soil pollution in the US comes from the landfills. They are one of the biggest sources of soil pollution. One interesting thing is that a large portion of the materials buried in landfills, around 80%, is recyclable.
17. More than 11 million tons of shoes, clothing, as well as textiles, ends up in landfills. All these waste materials can be recycled instead of dumping them into landfills.

Facts About Plastic

18. The energy necessary to produce 1.5 tons of plastic, is enough to provide power to around 250,000 homes.
19. For an average plastic bottle to fully discompose, it will take an average of about 500 years. This is an eternity, based on the amount of plastic we dispose of every day.
20. Research also shows that every hour, we dispose of 2.5 million plastic bottles. This number corresponds to around 42,000 bottles each minute. To curb this large disposal of plastics, there more and easier ways are being invented every day, to ensure that people embrace recycling.
21. The process of recycling plastics will help us save two times the amount of energy necessary to burn it.
22. More than 80% of the trash that causes harmful effects on the ocean comes from plastic waste.
23. Plastics cause more than 100,000 marine animal deaths both from ingestion and entanglement.
24. The University of Georgia conducted research that concluded that plastic trash amounting to 18 billion pounds, ends up in oceans each year.
25. The quantity of plastic wrap we produce every year is enough to shrink-wrap, the whole state of Texas.
26. Another different research shows that the oceans hold around 25 trillion fragments of plastic rubble. Around 269,000 tons of this wastes float on the oceans while 4 billion plastic pieces for every square kilometer, lay on the ocean floor.
27. Approximately 65% of all household waste consists of packaging materials.

Paper Waste Facts

29. Every year, Americans receive around 4 million tons of traditional mails. Majority of these paper mails, end up in the landfills.
30. During American holidays and festive seasons, a further additional waste amounting to around 5 million tons is produced. Of this waste, approximately 4 million tons comprises of shopping bags and wrapping papers.
31. The energy we use to produce and dispense junk mail in a single day can very well heat up to 250,000 households in the US.
32. Businesses in the United States use an average of 21 million tons of waste paper annually.
33. Every person in the US produces around 650 pounds of waste paper each year.
34. An average person in the US uses approximately 500 pieces of disposable cups every year. A good part of these disposable cups ends up in the landfills. This continues to add up to the garbage menace in the country.
35. Every year, Americans produce almost 400 billion photocopies. This translates to around 750,000 of paper copies per minute. At this rate, more waste continues to accumulate in the landfills.

Recycling of Paper Waste

36. Just like recycling any other waste materials, it will take less energy to recycle paper, than producing new paper from trees.
37. When we recycle paper, it means that we cut down fewer trees which is good for our environment. The more tree we have around, the more carbon dioxide they can remove from the atmosphere.
38. An average of 390 gallons of oil is necessary to manufacture one tone of the paper. With recycling, we can reduce this amount significantly.
39. One ton of recycled paper ensures that we save more than 350 gallons of oil. It also helps us to conserve 17 trees, as well as save landfill space.
40. A single person in the United States uses an equivalent of two trees in paper form, each year.
41. If we can recycle, 1/10 of all the American newspapers annually, we can manage to save more than 25 million trees.

Facts About Glass Waste

42. If we dump glass waste in the landfills, it will take an average of 4,000 years to decompose completely. Recycling is the best thing to ensure that glass bottles and other glass waste, don’t end up in landfills.
43. It is possible to infinitely recycle glass waste without a decrease in its quality or purity.
44. Approximately 80% of all glass waste taken for recycling, undergoes a re-melting process to provide raw materials for new glass containers.
45. Within the last 30 years, the weight of glass bottles has reduced by around 40%.
46. The manufactures of glass products want to make sure that 50% of their total raw materials, will come from recycling glass waste. If they can do this, they will have saved enough power to cater to 21,978 households for a whole year. Also, they will be able to remove approximately 181 tons of glass waste, from landfills on a monthly basis.

Facts About Aluminum Waste

47. Estimates show that Americans produce 65 billion of aluminum cans waste every year. However, unlike glass, aluminum is significantly recycled.
48. Since aluminum is one of the most recycled items in the US, the aluminum waste that ends up in the landfills can only contribute to around 1% of the total waste.
49. Similarly, to glass, we can recycle aluminum as many times as we can. It has no limit as it doesn’t change its composition in any way.
50. The amount of energy we save by recycling just two cans of electricity is sufficient to power one computer for a whole day.
51. After we recycle aluminum, we can re-purpose the new cans within 60 days.
52. The amount of aluminum thrown out in the United States in just three months is enough to rebuild the county’s entire commercial air fleet.
53. The energy we use to produce one new aluminum can, is enough to recycle 20 old cans into new ones.

Like these facts? See our interesting facts about electricity to continue your knowledge.

Conclusion On Facts About Landfills

From this article on facts about landfills, it is evident that landfills can cause more harm to the environment, than good.

Therefore, to ensure that minimal waste ends up in the landfills, it is a high time that we embrace recycling. This way, we can be able to preserve our environment for future generations.

How much are you doing to ensure less waste end up in landfills? Share with us in the comments.

 Related Resources

• 6 Key Environmental Issues in Japan You Should Know
• How to Recycle Brita Filters (Safe & Eco-Friendly Tips to Consider)
• A Guide to Eco-Friendly Recycling

Green Coast is a renewable energy community solely focused on helping people better understand renewable energy technologies and the environment.

What is Greywater: A Complete Overview to Everything You Need to Know

Several sectors around the world are fighting water wastage.  This is a call to everyone as a way to conserve our water resources. Different households are therefore diverting to the use of greywater to irrigate their flowerbeds. But what is greywater? This piece will explore everything you need to know about greywater, including essential tips for greywater management.

Water is life. What it means is, living things cannot survive without water. However, water resources are depleting at an alarming rate.

In the recent past, most Americans have received water restriction orders from water supply companies. This is happening because there is a decrease in the water supply, not just in the country but around the world.

Therefore, we need to devise ways to conserve this scarce and valuable resource. To reduce water wastage, we can divert to greywater techniques. These techniques can help us reduce water consumption and conserve water resources. Want to know more about sustainability? Read our in-depth guide to sustainability.

We can reclaim greywater and use it for irrigation purposes. Greywater can provide year-round water for the irrigation of various vegetables. That will ensure that we have a year-round harvest.

Also, our yards, lawns, and flowerbeds will have that fresh green look throughout the year. The greywater can also be an effective way to provide water for irrigation in arid and semi-arid regions.

Before we explore how it works and setting it up, let’s look at what is greywater

What is Greywater?

Greywater is domestic wastewater which is produced from the recycling of laundry, shower, and hand basin water. When treated, this water can be used to irrigate a garden. Greywater makes 50% to 80% of the wastewater from a household.

Any household wastewater, including water from washing machines, dishwashers, baths, and sinks is greywater provided it doesn’t get into contact with sewer.

Since greywater contains nutrients from soap and other residues, it can be treated and reused to nourish the soil, which in turn produces lush and healthy plants.

Greywater vs. Blackwater

Greywater excludes sewage water which can have a presence of harmful fecal matters. Sewage water contains more organic loading than greywater.

Some studies categorize kitchen wastewater as blackwater. They indicate that kitchen water it contains high-levels of organic loading.

Also, reports reveal that kitchen wastewater includes fats that are likely to damage instead of nourishing plants.

So, where does greywater go?

Greywater Common Uses

These are some of the most common uses for greywater.

• Greywater is making use of the wastewater that would end up in the septic and sewer system and can eventually end up in water bodies. The wastewater can then pollute the water bodies, and therefore, using greywater helps curb this form of pollution.
• Greywater is excellent for watering your garden. Studies prove that this water contains phosphorous and nitrogen nutrients from biological matter, dirt, and grease, which is a good source of soil nourishment. When doing irrigation, make sure that there is no water puddling or pooling on your garden.
• You can use it to water fruit trees, ornamental plants, and the edible plant’s roots. However, it is not safe for use on root vegetables such as radishes, carrots, and potatoes or the plant’s consumable parts.
• The treated water can also be used to flush toilets and in laundry work.
• Use of greywater minimizes freshwater uses. If we save on freshwater, we can cut on the household bills.
• Also, recycling this water benefits the whole community because it helps reduce the demands directed on the public water supply. Greywater use can save up to 70 liters/person/day of potable water in households.

How to Set Up A Greywater System

The complexity and the size of setting up a greywater system depend on the intended use. For example, a single-family unit needs a simple single-family system unless the yard is very far from your home. With a single-family system, you may not require to use a pump. Water will work with gravity unless the yard slopes uphill.

The first step of setting up a greywater system is to divert the water from the washing machine by connecting the washing machine hose with a diverter valve. The valve directs the wastewater into a drum which is outside your home. The tube is linked to the bottom of the drum. You can use the water to water your plants in the garden.

Also, you can set-up a system that diverts water from the shower and other sinks apart from the kitchen sink. You can invest in a greywater system that can connect the wastewater to the outer pipes.

The wastewater will go through a lint and hair filter just before pumping it out using an irrigation pipe to the garden.

Another simple greywater system is a bucket that you can customize to collect and carry wastewater outside manually to water your yard.

If you set-up a greywater system in your household, avoid detergents and soaps that contain boron, synthetic fragrances, artificial dyes, bleach, and preservatives such as polyethylene glycol and phenoxyethanol. Sodium is also said to inhibit the growth of plants, and so, you should make sure that your greywater is free from it.

Greywater Treatment Methods

Treating of greywater depends on the contaminants present in the wastewater. Most of the so-called contaminants in greywater are beneficial nutrients to plants. However, you must adhere to specific guidelines that have been set to ensure that your greywater is wholly free from any harmful substances and contaminants.

It’s recommended that you use wastewater within a single day after you collect it to avoid being charged a stinky water vat. Also, you need to ensure that your greywater is not getting into contact with animals and people.

Here are some of the various ways to treat greywater depending on the intended use of the water.

See Related: Rainwater Harvesting Pros and Cons

Methods of Treating Greywater

1. Direct-Use Systems

Direct-use system is the simplest and the most affordable system. It involves siphoning greywater directly using a drought buster. Alternatively, you can fit a valve to an external waste pipe which will direct the wastewater to a water tank. The water will then be used to irrigate flowerbed or garden when need be.

If you opt for this system, then make sure that you use all the water within a day. If you let it stay for more than a day, the bacteria present in the wastewater may feed on the present organic matter such as hair, skin particles, and detergents and thus multiply quickly.

When the bacteria use up all the oxygen gas available, the water will start to emit a foul smell. Also, it may have some presence of human pathogens from the anaerobic bacteria.

2. Biological Systems For Wastewater Without Food Debris

This biological method may include sand filter and wetland techniques.

When it comes to the sand filter method, the greywater is filtrated to get rid of large particles using a sand filter. After the pretreatment process, the greywater is then filtered using a soil box.

A soil box is a simple four-layer material box. The top layer, which is around 2 feet deep, contains topsoil rich in humus. This top layer sits on top on another layer of fine buildings sand that in turn, sit on a layer of course sand. At the bottom is a layer of pea-shingle which helps achieve perfect drainage.

Initially, the greywater is pumped at the top, and then it travels down to the bottom of the soil box due to gravity. However, most filtration processes occur on the topsoil. At the topsoil level, soil organisms feed and reproduce using the nutrients present in the soil in effect purifying it.

The wetland process, on the other hand, involves treating the wastewater using wetland. The water is usually retained at the top level, thus enabling the aquatic plants like bulrushes and reeds to flourish.

The subsurface wetlands are the best for treating greywater. That is because it reduces the likelihoods of odors escaping. There is also a lower likelihood of human contact, which poses a high potential risk of transmitting diseases and also lowers chances of freezing especially during the winter.

Both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria can treat greywater. Also, plants roots can absorb any organic matters dissolved which can help speed the process up.

3. Biological Systems For Wastewater With Food Debris

If the wastewater has any food debris, then it requires anaerobic treatment using a septic tank. The treated water that comes from the septic tank can then be treated again using the soil box filter or wetlands method, as explained above.

4. Mechanical Filters For Treating Water For Toilet Flushing

You can easily undo the U-bend under any sink to capture and direct wastewater in a bucket. Then, you can pour the water into the toilet cistern. Since this is a tedious and time-consuming technique, you can automate it.

Invest in a greywater pump that can pump the wastewater vertically and can be used when necessary. The wastewater is treated while in a storage tank which is mostly through adding chlorine before it is directed to the toilet cistern or a washing machine.

Chlorine use has a few disadvantages because it can harm or kill your plants if put into excessive use. Also, it can impact the quality of the soil negatively. Disinfect the waste water before you use it for flushing the toilets.

Is Greywater Dangerous?

Some of the world killer illnesses are waterborne. Therefore, it is crucial to treat greywater before use. Do not use any wastewater that has been used to wash raw meat, underwears, and wounds as it can increase the levels of harmful bacteria that can produce a stench after some time.

This type of water is not safe for human consumption. Therefore, never use this water to do dishes, drink or cook even after treatment.

The Cost of A Greywater System

The cost of a greywater system depends on several factors. In California, for example, the cost can range between $3,500 and $6,000, which is just a rough estimation. The installation cost mostly depends on the size of your yard, the complexity of the irrigation system, and the cost of plumbing in your region. Therefore, to get the exact pricing, consult an expert in your area.

Some of the expenses of setting up a greywater system include installation, plumbing, and maintenance costs. You will need to invest in materials such as valves, pipes, among other components used to connect your tank and the sinks. The cost of buying the tank itself is another initial cost that you must consider.

Also, the cost of buying a filter and a pump is another necessary additional expense. Last but not least is the cost of the irrigation tubing expense. The tubing should be able to accommodate your garden or at least the landscaping parts that you desire to spray with water.

How to Use Untreated Greywater

You can siphon the untreated greywater to irrigate the ornamental trees and plants. Use the water quickly or as soon as possible to reduce the bacteria growth.

Untreated water does not include black water because the use of black water can spread waterborne diseases. Direct the black water to a septic tank.

Untreated wastewater should never be used on edible plants or fruits. The water has high levels of harmful pathogens which can pose a health risk if consumed by humans.

Conclusion on What is Greywater

Installing a greywater system in your household helps you play a role in saving the water resources and planet. However, always get a permit before you install greywater system in your home. I believe that now you know what greywater, and everything else you need to know about it is.

How much are you doing about water preservation? Share your methods with us in our comments area.

Composting Pros And Cons: Is This Effective?

Composting is one of the most effective ways of getting rid of organic materials and in an eco-friendly manner. Whether it’s in our homes or our farms, composting helps to reduce organic wastes, which in return, help to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

Here, we will explore more on the composting pros and cons, as well as how it works.

But what exactly is composting? How do you make one, and how do you ensure it doesn’t stink? Well, many people have been misled to believe that the process is complicated and that it smells a lot.

However, that is not always the case. In this article, we are going to help you understand composting better. We will analyze it both in terms of how it works, as well as its negative and positive effects.

The composting process is not as difficult as you may have thought. Anyone can do composting, and from any location. Therefore, let’s go directly to first understanding what it means.

What is Composting?

Composting refers to the biological decaying of organic waste, including plant materials and food. The process can be categorized into three types, namely; aerobic composting, anaerobic composting, and Vermicomposting.

The decomposition of these waste materials provides nutrients required by plants, animals, and microorganisms to flourish.

Households, schools, restaurants, farms, offices as well as business places, all produce compostable materials. These materials may include food scraps, leaves, animal manure, grass clippings, coffee grounds, and more, which are all compostable.

Through composting, these waste materials are broken down to form an end product called humus.

While composting is beneficial to the environment, it also has its downsides. Each of the three methods has its pros and cons, and we will delve into that more.

However, lets first understand each of these composting methods.

Various Types of Composting

1. Aerobic Composting

Aerobic composting is the process of decomposing organic materials using microorganisms and in the presence of oxygen. In this method, the compost has to be turned regularly after a few days. The bacteria or fungi help to breakdown the materials.

Since the bacteria will be breaking down high-nitrogen-content materials, the temperatures in the compost rise significantly. The rise in temperatures is also beneficial as it speeds up the decaying process.

The microbes that break down the waste materials, normally occur naturally within the moist organic materials. These microbes take in oxygen that diffuses into the composting material from the surrounding atmosphere. The by-products of this process are usually, heat, carbon dioxide (CO2), and water.

However, although CO2 is a greenhouse gas, the amount produced is not counted in the emissions. This is because the gas is only 1/20th as destructive to the environment as compared to methane. Methane is the main by-product of anaerobic degradation.

The good thing about the aerobic composting is that the heat it produces is enough to destroy harmful pathogens and bacteria. These bacteria and pathogens cannot survive in these hot environments.

However, some other beneficial bacteria species like mesophilic, psychrophilic, and thermophilic bacteria, thrive in these hot temperatures.

See Related: Waste-to-Energy Overview

2. Anaerobic Composting

The second type of composting is the anaerobic composting. The anaerobic composting is the opposite of the aerobic one. Anaerobic composting is simply the decomposition of organic matter using microorganisms but in the absence of oxygen.

Here, most of the chemical energy within the waste materials at the start of the process is released later as methane. And for this reason, the process includes a very unpleasant smell and the production of just an insignificant amount of heat.

Therefore, since heat is necessary to speed up the decomposing process, this composting takes much longer than the aerobic one.

Also, the amount of heat is not sufficient to destroy plant pathogens, as well as weeds and seeds. Therefore, you will need to add artificial heat to overcome these limitations.

During the decomposition of materials, the process produces a sludge-like substance that is not easily broken down.

For this reason, you will still need to use aerobic composting to achieve the stabilization process successfully.

​Anaerobic composting is what occurs in the landfills. Landfills generate a lot of methane such that there are even some explosions.

3. Vermicomposting

The third type of composting is known as vermicomposting. In this method, decomposition takes place in the presence of worms, oxygen, as well as moisture. The worms are the primary agents of decay in this method.

However, bacteria also play a minor role to break down the material with less odor. Vermicomposting is the favorite composting method for many people due to the following reasons:

• Produces an insignificant amount of odor
• Produce little if any, harmful anaerobic bacteria or methane
• The process doesn’t require turning the composting material
• Can be done indoors or outdoors
• You can easily harvest the fertilizer
• Worms become an integral part of the farm which is beneficial for you
• Sufficient supply of bait if you love fishing

To start the vermicomposting process, all you need is to select the type of composter you want and then order composting worms.

Advantages of Composting

When looking at composting pros and cons, different composting methods have their unique pros and cons. However, in this article, we will look at the general pros and cons of all the methods.

1. Beneficial to The Environment

One of the biggest advantages of composting is that it’s eco-friendly. The process of composting if done right has minimal effects, if any, to the environment. For example, the aerobic composting and vermicomposting get rid of waste materials without any harmful by-products.

On average, food scraps and yard wastes comprise around 27% of all solid waste that ends up in landfills in the US. That amount is quite large if you consider that anyone can compost.

Why haul all these solid organic wastes to the dumpsites when we can compost it ourselves?

Well, if you didn’t know, hauling these wastes to the landfills will just take up space for long periods, as well as produce greenhouse gases such as methane. Composting at home and in a controlled environment ensures that such greenhouse gases do not enter the environment.

Methane gas can stay in the environment for as long as 15 years and has twenty times the ability of CO2 to trap heat.

Therefore, if we use a composting method that doesn’t produce methane, we are in the right path to protecting our environment. This, in turn, will help us reduce the effect of global warming.

2. Better Soil Structure And Higher Water-retention Ability.

After composting, the compost is beneficial to the soil as it enhances its structure and helps to improve its water retention. The compost can improve the quality of numerous soil types, enhancing the texture, as well as nutrients, air, and water retention ability.

If the soil is healthy, it means that the plants growing in that soil will also be healthier and produce more. In addition, more water in the soil encourages the growth of plants with deeper roots, which in turn prevents soil erosion.

This also prevents the clogging of waterways with waste products and pollutants.

3. Natural, Organic Fertilizer

The compost, which is the end product of composting, is an excellent organic fertilizer for your plants. Since the compost is organic, it will break down over time. The surrounding plants will, in turn, feed on this disintegrating compost to make them healthier.

This is one way we can reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and chemicals on our farms and backyards.

Therefore, instead of hauling these organic wastes to landfills, compost it in your home or farm and reap the benefits of healthy crops.

4. Less Costly

If you use this compost to apply to your plants, it means that you will need less synthetic fertilizer and chemicals. For this reason, your costs of maintaining your plants will go down. Also, you will not incur the cost of hiring haulers as you will do the composting at home.

Besides, if you can grow your vegetables and fruits using this compost, it will reduce your monthly expenses on vegetables. Those who want to go green, and grow their vegetables in their backyard, this is the way to go. You have everything at your disposal.

5. Anyone Can Compost

Another great thing about composting is that anyone can do composting. Whether you live in rural areas or the urban, composting is for anyone. Even if you are in the high-end urban areas, and do not have any yard space, you can still do composting indoors using a special indoor composting bin.

Also, some municipalities currently offer yard waste and food scrap programs which you can join. All in all, there is no reason for you not to do composting of your waste.

See Related: How to Recycle Brita Filters

Disadvantages of Composting

Despite having many advantages, composting still have some few drawbacks. Here are some negative effects of composting that you should know:

1. It Can Be Stinky And Hazardous

In some of the methods we have mentioned above, they produce an awful smell. For example, in anaerobic composting, one of the by-products of the process is methane gas. This gas has a very unpleasant odor and can make the environment around it inhabitable.

The nasty smell that comes out of an unattended compost pile can lead to an infestation of bugs, rodents, and other pests. If you are not careful to regularly turn the compost pile, you might face some other health issues.

Also, if the compost includes waste from things like chicken manure and other animal waste, it might harbor some dangerous pathogens.

2. It’s Unattractive

The creation of a compost pile in your back yard might erase the beauty of the hard-worked for landscape.

And, although you might want to buy a compost bin which is tidier, it may still affect the arrangement of things and take up space for other things.

3. Harmful to The Environment

If these waste materials end up in landfills, they produce a lot of gases that have adverse effects on the environment. In the case of anaerobic composting, the methane released into the atmosphere has the effect of trapping heat, which might lead to global warming.

Also, based on a report by the EPA, compost can easily capture and eliminate 99.6% of the volatile organic compounds available in the air.

Their effect can also contribute to climate change. The gases produced in landfills can be harmful to your health with various negative effects such as nausea and throat irritations.

4. Consumes Both Time And Energy

The process of composting from collecting the waste into a pile to regularly attending to the pile might be time-consuming. You will have to be checking on the composting now and then to ensure that the decomposition takes place properly.

As a result, it means that the exercise will take a considerable amount of your time and effort.

Conclusion On Composting Toilet Pros And Cons

Different people will gauge composting differently. Some will consider it more beneficial, while others will see it as more harmful. Therefore, before you can decide whether or not to do composting, go through these composting pros and cons to make the judgment for yourself.

What are your views on the composting pros and cons? Share with us your insights in the comments section.

Best Reusable K Cups to Use to Help the Environment

To keep the environment clean,  numerous companies currently produce eco-friendly K Cups that you can use.

Creating reusable coffee pods is one way the companies are offering K Cup options to the market, and here is a list of such coffee pods.

1. DI ORO – MaxBrew 24K Gold Reusable K-Carafe Filter

Do you want to change your habit of using disposable coffee capsules? Well, MaxBrew 24K Gold reusable K-cup is an excellent option for you. This reusable K Cup not only guarantees you great coffee, but it also ensures that you save money.

These coffee pods are compatible with all Keurig 2.0 models, including K500, K300, K400, K200, and more.

The product doesn’t contain any harmful elements such as lead, DEHP, or BPA, and therefore it’s friendly to your health. One of the best things about this K Cup is that it’s environmentally friendly and you can clean it with a dishwasher.

Di Oro Caffè offers an ideal eco-friendly alternative to disposable K Cups. Some of its notable features include:

• Compatibility with all Keurig 2.0 Brewers – With this product, you have the opportunity to enjoy your coffee without having to spend money on purchasing expensive disposable pods. This is possible because these K Cups can be used in any Keurig 2.0 coffee brewer.
• Has a 24K Gold Accent – The cup comes in a unique and beautiful 24k gold plated honeycomb-patterned MaxBrew filter. Its design ensures that you enjoy the taste of your coffee without tasting the filter, unlike in some other filters.
• They are 100% BPA, lead, and DEHP Free – You can relax knowing that your health is well put into consideration. The materials that make up the MaxBrew filter is free from any harmful substances.
• Environmentally Friendly and Economically Smart – Not only are these reusable K Cups ecologically friendly, but they also save you a significant amount of cash. You don’t have to keep buying the disposable pods anymore. Also, you will have played your part in reducing the number of disposable coffee capsules that end up in landfills.

You can comfortably wash the K Cups with your hands or using a dishwasher.

With these Di Oro products, you can be assured of great service and for a very long time. The K Cups come with a lifetime warranty that guarantees you of their quality.

2. DI ORO – MaxBrew 24K GOLD K-Cup Reusable Filter for Keurig 2.0/1.0 Small Single K-Cup

Another great alternative to the disposable k cups is the MaxBrew 24K GOLD K-Cup Reusable filter compatible with Keurig 2.0/1.0 brewers. The reusable cups work well with all models of 2.0 and 1.0 Keurig coffee makers.

Just like their earlier counterparts, these reusable cups are environmentally friendly, as well as economical to use. Also, they are made of harmless materials that are free of BPA and DEHP elements to ensure your health safety.

So, if you are a coffee lover, then you should try out these reusable coffee cups. They ensure that the coffee smells and tastes just the way you like it. The filters fit well in the brewer, preventing any chance of leakages or spillage. Here is a summary of its features:

• They are compatible with both 2.0 and 1.0 Keurig coffee brewers
• Built from a BPA-free plastic
• They are ecofriendly
• Contains no traces of lead, DEHP or any other harmful components
• Easy cleaning either by hands or dishwasher
• These reusable K Cups save you up to 80% cost, as compared to the disposable cups.

This reusable K Cup is 4.4 stars rated on Amazon by users, showing the extent of satisfaction that users get. If you asked me which is my best reusable K Cup, this would be it.

3. Ekobrew Classic Reusable Filter, Keurig 1.0 and 2.0 Compatible

Since its inception in 2011, Ekobrew has been in the front line to try and keep the environment free of disposable K Cups waste.

Through their Classic Reusable Filter, it is estimated that the company has managed to keep more than 2.6 billion single-use filters off the landfills.

This is a big step in the right direction.

Some of the main features that come with these Ekobrew Classic Reusable Filters include:

• They are compatible with both Keurig 1.0 and 2.0 coffee makers
• The reusable K Cups are made in the US
• Eco-friendly and helps you save up to around 70% on coffee
• They are easy to use and can be cleaned using a dishwasher
• Requires no filter holder removal
• They are 100% BPA free
• Available in various colors such as violet, black, and orange

The Ekobrew reusable filters are a great way of reducing the use of the disposable K Cups that are turning to be an environmental menace. They are an eco-friendly K Cup alternative for the coffee lovers and those who use Keurig brewers.

If you want to save money and keep the environment clean, Ekobrew classic reusable filter is a great product for that.

4. Perfect Pod EZ-Cup 2.0 Reusable Filter Cup with 25 Paper Filters by Perfect Pod

With Perfect Pod, both the enthusiast, as well as the cost-conscious coffee lovers, have their desires catered for. Their EZ-Cup 2.0 Reusable Filter Cup ensures that you have your coffee just the way you love it, while still putting your health and the environment in mind.

If you were looking for disposable coffee pod alternatives, EZ-Cup is one of the best reusable K Cups around.

Some of its distinctive features include:

• Compatibility with 1.0 and 2.0 Keurig coffee brewers
• The K Cups are refillable and are built of 100% biodegradable paper filters
• The package contains one reusable EZ-Cup, one lid, and 25 EZ-Cup Filters
• Patented tamping spring that squeezes the coffee in the K Cup for easy extraction and better coffee flavor
• Allows you to use your fresh coffee, save money, as well as reduce K Cup Waste
• The EZ-Cup is supported by Perfect Pod 100% customer satisfaction guarantee

The product is also compatible with other coffee makers such as Mr. Coffee, Breville, and Cuisinart. When you use a reusable EZ-Cup 2.0 filter, you can well relax knowing that you have made the world a better place.

You have played your role in reducing 10 billion disposable K Cups that find their way into the landfills each year.

5. K&J Reusable Filter Cups Compatible with Keurig 1.0 K-Cups by K&J

These reusable coffee filter cups are compatible with almost all Keurig coffee makers. The pack consists of four reusable cups which work perfectly with model 1.0 machines, Cuisinart, Breville brewers, and Mr. Coffee units.

The cups are also made of a stronger material and a tight lid seal that prevents leakages or spillage.

In addition, they have a stainless steel micro-etched mesh, which offers a perfect size for brewing even the smallest grinds of coffee. With K&J K Cups, not only will you save the environment, but also enjoy their durability. Therefore, you will maintain a clean environment while still saving money.

The main features of K&J reusable cup filters include:

• Comes in a pack of 4, which improves convenience as you will not need to wash and wait for one piece to dry.
• They are ideal for Breville, Keurig, Mr. Coffee, and Cuisinart machines
• Built of sturdier material than earlier models.
• Its micro-etched mesh is built from stainless steel
• They are pocket-friendly, as well as eco-friendly
• Offers a 100% money refunds if you are unsatisfied with the product

Moreover, these coffee filters offer more drink variety. You get a chance to brew drinks that you will never find in your favorite joint.

What are K Cups?

The word K Cup has been used to refer to the disposable coffee capsules generally. K Cup is a trademarked name from a company known as Keurig Dr Pepper. However, the name has gained so much popularity in the US such that every coffee pod is referred to by that name.

Keurig Dr Pepper has for many years, been the biggest player in the North American coffee market. And, for this reason, K Cup has almost become a synonym for coffee pods, especially in America and Canada.

In the real sense, these capsules are rarely recyclable, and most of them end up clogging our trash cans or in the landfills. The reason why they are rarely recycled is that most of them are made of a tightly bonded mixture of metal and plastic.

In addition, the pods also contain organic residues.

But the good news is here. Don’t feel guilty if you are used to the capsule coffee routine. I have a lasting solution.

Are you feeling guilty about your capsule coffee habit? You’re not alone.

The founder of Keurig himself has said he regrets introducing single-cup coffee makers to the world, due to the immense amount of trash they create.

See Related: How to Find the Right Recycling Center

Why Eco-Friendly K Cups are Better

Due to the “biodegradable” label on most of the disposable coffee pods, not many people questioned beyond that. However, with the continuous use of these coffee pods, it has emerged that they are not really biodegradable.

Therefore, this article aims at offering you the best reusable K Cup options to the one-time disposable ones.

Well, over the years, disposable K Cups have gained so much popularity in the United States. The whole reason behind this is mostly due to their convenience as it makes the process of coffee brewing easy.

However, these K Cups end up in landfills or clogged in trash cans which are posing an environmental hazard.

The common misconception people have is that these disposable coffee pods are recyclable.

The numerous adverts on our screens, as well as the labels on the products’ packaging,  has misled most people. However, that should not worry you anymore as I have the answer for this menace.

Here are a few benefits of using eco-friendly K cups for your home or office.

• Cost Saving

If on average, you are used to taking a cup of coffee every day, you can easily spend around $200 on disposable pods.

However, this cost can reduce by even by a third, if you make use of reusable K Cups. And, although it’s cheaper to use reusable filter cups, it doesn’t mean they offer lesser quality coffee.

• Maintains Original Taste/Scent

While using some disposable K Cups, you might notice a different taste of smell or taste in your coffee. The change may be caused by reactions of the materials that make up the pods with heat or coffee.

However, with the reusable models, this is not the case as they retain the originality of your coffee.

• Eco-Friendly

One of the main reasons why the reusable K Cups came about is to ensure that we protect our environment. With the disposable, and non-biodegradable coffee filters clogging our trash sites and landfills, reusable K Cups seems to be the solution. Here is the difference between biodegradable and nonbiodegradable.

By using a reusable pod, it minimizes the number of disposable pods going into the environment. This is one way of staying green and doing things that do not harm our environment.

See Related: Top Sustainability Influencers on Instagram

• Versatile

Since the reusable ones work well with most coffee brewers, you don’t have to buy a different pod for a different machine. Some of these reusable K Cups not only work with coffee grinds but also with coffee grounds as well as tea leaves.

See Related: Composting Pros and Cons Analysis

Conclusion on Which is the Best Reusable K Cup

Maintaining our environment and staying healthy are two things that we must take very seriously in our everyday lives. With a significant number of Americans being coffee lovers, using the best pods that are both environmentally friendly and health-conscious is essential.

I hope this list helps you find the best reusable K Cup to brighten your coffee moments.

What reusable K cup will you use? Let us know in the comments below.

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Green Coast is a renewable energy and green living blog helping you make better decisions that will make a sustainable impact on the environment.

Biofuel Pros and Cons Analysis: How Does It Work?

As the name suggests, biofuels are derived from plant and their products. In some cases, these fuels are then mixed with fossil fuels to improve their efficiency.

For the production of biofuel, plants are specifically grown and harvested. For instance, biofuel ethanol comes from regular corn. This fuel serves as an additive for gasoline.

Sugar cane is the basic source for the production of ethanol in Brazil. However, the United Kingdom uses a different biofuel called biodiesel, which is generated from palm oil.

Turning organic material into a usable fuel requires proper heat, chemical reaction, and fermentation.

Let’s take a look at how to make biofuel.

Biofuel Production

Biofuel is a fuel that comes from the biomass including plant or algae or animal wastes. The required material for making biofuel can be grown on a regular basis, hence this fuel is referred to as a source of renewable energy. On the other hand, fossil fuels like natural gas, petroleum, and coal are non-renewable energy sources.

In order to turn harvested plant material into biofuel, the manufacturers utilize some basic methods. For instance, corn is an ideal material to make biofuel. During the production process, the corn crops are crushed to create a mash.

This allows the enzymes to break down the corn mash into sugars. This sugar liquid is then fermented with yeast to make alcohol, which is also a plant byproduct. After that, the mash is removed from the alcohol through the filtration process.

During biofuel production, nothing goes to waste, as the mash separated from the alcohol serves the purpose for a livestock feed. After heating the alcohol for a specific time, it turns into biofuel ethanol.

Types of Biofuels

We have been using biofuels since the caveman first come to know how to ignite a fire. At that time, wood was the biofuel, which they used to burn and produce heat. At present, biofuel is taking the place of fossil fuel, especially when it comes to the production of electricity.

There are numerous powerhouses, which utilize wood, grass or other types of biomass to produce heat and generate steam to run the turbine.

Depending on the production process and material, biofuels are of different types. Some of them are mentioned below.

Biofuel Ethanol

In fact, Liquid biofuels are of great importance as they can replace the other nonrenewable energy resources. We can use it as a fuel to run our buses and other means of transportation. Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is a liquid biofuel that is used after blending with gasoline.

These are the first-generation ethanol, which comes from the food crops. On the contrary,  second-generation biofuel is derived from low-value biomass. By processing this high cellulose content, it is possible to make cellulosic ethanol. We can use different materials to create this type of biofuel including crop residues, wood chips, and municipal waste.

We can produce cellulosic ethanol through sugarcane bagasse, which is a waste product that comes out during sugar production. The conversion rate is lower as compared to the first-generation biofuels; hence, cellulosic ethanol usually serves only as a gasoline additive.

See Related: What is Nuclear Energy? A Pros and Cons Analysis

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is another type of liquid biofuel, which comes from oily plants like palm oil or soybean. With a view to produce biodiesel, we can also utilize the used cooking oil from restaurants or hotels.

Biodiesel is much popular in Europe, as people use this biofuel to run their diesel vehicles. The utilization of cyanobacteria and algae to create third-generation biodiesel looks quite promising.

By producing this product on a large scale, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. These are some important facts about using biodiesel.

Biomass

We can use biomass as a fuel in different forms. In fact, any kind of organic matter that is capable of burning and produces heat can be used as a biofuel.

Some of the most noticeable examples of biomass include crops residue, wood chips, and manure. It is a kind of renewable energy, which provides the maximum amount of heat as compared to fossil fuels.

In order to create biomass energy, we can use two basic methods. First, one relates to the burning of the biomass in a furnace. The second way of using biomass is quite interesting.

In this procedure, the plant materials digested and excreted by the cows and buffaloes are stored in an enclosed place. After a few days, the cow manure starts to release methane gas, which we can use to meet our domestic needs.

Some biomass produces a biochar output that can be sold for other applications like water reuse.

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Environmental Benefits of Biofuels

Apart from being beneficial as a renewable energy source, biofuel also offers different advantages linked with our environment. Since biofuels are plant-based fuels, they have much little contribution when it comes to climate change and global warming. However, in the future, when large scale production of biofuels will take place, it may result in the emission of greenhouse gases.

On the contrary, cellulosic biomass is relatively more beneficial than other types of biofuels.

This is so, as the land we used to grow our food products will be shared with the crops grown for the biofuel. Hence, cellulosic biomass is more viable as it doesn’t require any specific place for its manufacturing, as the raw material for this type of biofuel is usually a waste product.

By providing a specific place for the production of raw materials for biofuel, we can improve the production of this energy source. It can also cast a positive impact on the economy of developing countries.

Using our waste can help keep flora and fauna healthy providing a better situation for the environment.

Pros and Cons of Biofuels

Biofuels have their own advantages and disadvantages. To discuss this matter in a comprehensive manner, given below are some of the known pros and cons of biofuels.

Advantages of Biofuels

Following are the advantages of biofuels, which include their production cost, resources, and environmental benefits.

Cost of Production and Price

The cost of producing biofuels is relatively less than fossil fuels. Hence, their prices are quite reasonable and are less expensive than gasoline. For instance, ethanol is much cheaper than gasoline and diesel.

With an increase in the worldwide demand for oil, it creates a huge gap between the supply and demand.

This suggests that the prices of fossil fuels will continue to surge in the future.

Resources and Materials

When it comes to fossil fuels, we can’t produce these fuels. Rather we can only use these naturally occurring materials after refining them. On the other hand, we can manufacture biofuels through a wide range of materials like manure, crop waste, and other byproducts.

In fact, biofuels is a great example of recycling where we can utilize waste materials to produce energy.

Renewable Energy Source

This is one of the major advantages of biofuels. Fossil fuels take hundreds or even thousands of years for their production through the process of natural decay.

However, biofuel is a renewable energy source, as we can grow new crops and make more biofuel by using these crops and their byproducts.

Minimum Carbon Emissions

After burning, the biofuels expel relatively less amount of carbon in the air. The toxic materials are also low when compared to fossil fuels. Hence, we can use biofuels as a safer alternative to fossil fuels.

Growth and Security

In fact, every country can produce its own biofuels. Hence, there will be no issue of dependence on oil producing countries, as we see in the case of fossil fuel.

By minimizing the dependence on external fuel sources, even the small countries can protect their integrity. Hence, these countries can secure their future without any external pressure or influence.

Economic Stimulation

Since we can produce biofuels locally, the plants for its production can provide employment for a number of workers and skilled employees. In addition, to produce biofuel, we also need a consistent supply of biofuel crops. This means that we need to grow these crops on a large scale.

It will not only provide job opportunity for the workers but also result in economic stimulation.

Disadvantage of Biofuels

Apart from various positive aspects associated with the biofuels, there are a few disadvantages linked with these energy sources.

Energy output

The energy output of biofuels is much lower than fossil fuels. Hence, it requires large quantities of biofuel to produce the required amount of energy. This has created some doubts regarding the efficiency of these fuels. Most of the analysts are of the view that biofuels can serve domestic purposes.

Hence, we can’t get maximum benefit through these fuels while using them in the industrial sector.

Indirect Carbon Emissions

Although biofuels are known to have less carbon footprints, there are some other ways they can increase carbon emissions. The major concerns are about the productions process of the biofuels.

It starts with the cultivation of the crop, which requires a lot of machinery that runs on fossil fuels. After the crop is ready, you again need giant harvesters to get the crop. Moreover, in order to increase the cultivable land, we are destroying forests at a fast pace, which is the biggest cause of global warming.

Much Higher Initial Cost

With a view to refine the biofuels and make them more energy efficient fuels, it requires to build proper infrastructure. This means that you need to spend a considerable amount to create such a setup. A

t present, the production of different biofuels is costing more than fossil fuels. This may change in the future when the technology will be more advanced and less expensive.

Food Prices

Another concern that raises the eyebrows of analysts and environmental scientists is the disturbance of the food cycle. This is so, as when the demand for biofuel will increase, we need to grow more fuel crops for this purpose.

For instance, in the future, we will be growing large quantities of corn not for the purpose to eat it but to produce biofuel. As a result, the prices of food items will grow up, making it difficult for common people to meet their food requirements.

Apart from this, the use of valuable cropland to grow fuel crops will create a shortage of other crops. This could possibly lead to a shortage of different food items.

May Strain Water Resources

In order to grow different fuel crops, you need a lot of water. Hence, the use of massive quantities of water can put a strain on water resources.

This may also result in disturbing the irrigation system in some regions.

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Destruction of Cultivable Land

The growth of similar crops used for biofuel production can affect the productivity of the land. Monoculture can affect the quality of the soil by absorbing all the essential nutrients.

If you alternate crops, it will help to save the vital nutrients of the soil. Biofuel discourages the crop rotation, which will affect the condition of the earth and weakens its overall strength.

Conclusion on Biofuel Pros and Cons

Biofuel is a source of energy, that comes from the various products and byproducts of plants. This is a type of renewable energy source, which we can produce by cultivating different fuel crops. Initially, we are growing the fuel crops at small scale, hence the overall production of biofuel isn’t sufficient to meet our needs.

Furthermore, biofuel is a sustainable energy source and serves as a great alternative to fossil fuels. The renewability is surely a great advantage of biofuel, which suggests that we can replenish this energy by growing fuel crops. It also casts a positive impact on our environment by emitting a minimum amount of greenhouse gases.

Apart from the pros of biofuels, there are some cons as well. One of the major concern about these fuels is the requirement of a lot of energy for their production.

For instance, by using 2 gallons of fossil fuels, we can produce 12 gallons of biofuels. Besides, there are some other costs, which increase its overall price.

When it comes to using biodiesel to run a vehicle, you need to do some alterations. These are very little conversion, which helps the regular diesel engine to run on biodiesel. As a whole, biofuels look quite promising when it comes to produce electricity or use them to run our vehicles.

Since the technology is quite new and requires some time for its development, we hope that one day, biofuels will serve the purpose to meet the energy needs of our world. Until then, we have no other choice but to rely on fossil fuels.

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