Biowaste: Introduction, Origin, and Management

Biowaste arises from the unusable left-over generated during delivery of medical care, industrial sources, and research activities, which is infectious and creates a great threat to human well-being and the sustainable environment. The continuous generation of waste is giving rise to management issues. The sustainable management of biowaste is a social responsibility of every citizen for a safe environment. Biowaste treatment is often governed by legislation that operates on three levels: standard industry standards, general waste rules, and specific biowaste challenges. In India, there are several biowaste management rules for safe disposal; however, strict actions are needed for the implementation of the existing system. By making use of traditional waste disposal technologies, such as landfills and incineration, gases like methane are emitted that may contribute to global warming. As the demand for energy is increasing day by day due to the huge increase in population and industrialization, it may be addressed through the production of bioenergy from biowaste. In this chapter, we will deal with the origin of biowaste, drawbacks of conventional methods, and effective methods for the eco-friendly treatment of biowaste. The collective team-work of all people, government, doctors, and healthcare workers is required for the effective implementation of biowaste disposal systems.