The growing production of waste is one of the major environmental problems of our today’s society. Particularly in Greece, it is considered a top priority matter. Although up to now, waste production was considered inevitable and regarded as collateral side effect of the economic activity and development, modern technology and contemporary agriculture & livestock have proven differently, ending this nasty circle.
Sustainable management, production prevention and waste reduction have become important policy priorities and they constitute a very important role of the effort to reduce environmental pollution, greenhouse gases emission and to mitigate changes of the global climate.
The uncontrolled waste disposal practices are no longer acceptable. Nowadays, the controlled disposal in landfills and the incineration of organic waste are not preferable methods, because environmental standards are much stricter. The aim is energy recovery and nutrients and organic matter recycling.
A considerable potential with multidimensional benefits, not only for the primary sector, is unrevealed in the farm waste, when this is utilized towards Biogas production as a Renewable Energy Source. The Biogas production from anaerobic digestion (AD) of animal solid and liquid manure and a wide range of green organic waste converts these substrates into renewable energy and offers a natural fertilizer for the agriculture.
Biogas is a really promising form of renewable energy, with a positive impact on many levels, although at present its applications are limited in Greece.
Unfortunately, the country’s prolonged economic crisis, the fragile political environment, the inadequacy in financing due to the capital controls and mainly the absence of a national strategy, do not encourage the establishment of a climate to attract investors, which is imperative for the country.
Nevertheless, the positive effects of the use of manure for biogas production cannot be disputed. The operation of biogas plants in stockbreeding areas can immediately result in favor of the local economy and particular for farmers and breeders.
Such significant benefits include the effective waste management, the exemption from investment costs of sewage treatment, additional income by selling electricity to the grid, operation and maintenance costs reduction, use of better fertilizers and many more.
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Excellent article! When does business understand that economy and ecology goes hand in hand and biowaste is a free fuel for energy production. Why do we spent money to buy fuel for energy production if it is freely available? For Greece reneable energy could be a job engine like in Germany.
Thank you Thomas! You are absolutely correct.
We will get there eventually. All we need is a stable political environment and adequate financing.