what is organic waste

Organic waste is any material that is biodegradable and comes from either a plant or an animal. Biodegradable waste is organic material that can be broken down into carbon dioxide, methane, or simple organic molecules by microorganisms and other living things through composting, aerobic digestion, or other processes. Examples of organic waste include green waste, food waste, food-soiled paper, non-hazardous wood waste, landscape and pruning waste, and livestock manure. When organic waste is dumped in landfills, it undergoes anaerobic decomposition, which produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Recycling organic waste reduces greenhouse gas emissions and conserves natural resources. Organic waste can be used for composting or as a resource for heat, electricity, and fuel by means of incineration or anaerobic digestion. In many parts of the developed world, biodegradable waste is separated from the rest of the waste stream, either by separate curbside collection or by waste sorting after collection.