From Scraps to Soil Enrichment: Rethinking Food Waste and Sludge for a Greener Agriculture
摘要
Food waste is a critical global issue with profound implications for the environment, economy, and society. Annually, an astonishing amount of approximately 1.3 billion metric tons of food is wasted worldwide, accounting for about one-third of all food produced for human consumption. This excessive waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change, while also straining waste management systems and depleting limited landfill capacities. Moreover, food waste perpetuates social inequalities and intensifies food insecurity, impacting millions of people globally. In response to this problem, this research endeavor focuses on harnessing the untapped potential of food waste from University Technology Petronas (UTP) cafeteria and sludge from the Sewage Treatment Plant. Its objective is to develop an affordable composter machine called “Eco-Composter” that can efficiently convert the aforementioned substances (including food waste and sewage sludge) into nutrient-rich compost which can be used as an alternative to commercially available fertilizer. This would be achieved through a streamlined methodology involving the collection, processing, and analysis of food waste, followed by the construction and testing of the composter to ensure its effectiveness in sustainable compost production. By implementing advanced techniques, including anaerobic digestion, and composting, these waste resources are economically converted into a valuable product, fostering sustainable agricultural practices, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers, and providing support to local farming communities with limited financial resources.