Unit 7: Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Waste-to-Energy Conversion course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Anaerobic Digestion #
a series of biological processes in which microorganisms break down organic materials in the absence of oxygen, resulting in the production of biogas (a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide) and digestate (a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer).
Biogas #
a mixture of gases produced through anaerobic digestion, primarily composed of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), which can be used as a fuel for heat and electricity generation or upgraded to biomethane for use as a vehicle fuel.
Biomass #
organic matter derived from plants or animals that can be converted into fuel, heat, or electricity through various processes, including anaerobic digestion, combustion, or gasification.
Biomethane #
a purified form of biogas, consisting mainly of methane (up to 97%), which can be used as a direct substitute for natural gas in various applications, such as heating, power generation, or transportation.
Carbon Footprint #
a measure of the total greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), associated with a product, service, or organization, expressed in terms of the amount of CO2 equivalent emitted.
Circular Economy #
an economic system aimed at minimizing waste and making the most of resources by promoting the reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling of products and materials, thereby reducing the need for raw materials and energy.
Combustion #
a chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizer (usually oxygen from the air), which releases heat and generates flue gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), and other byproducts.
CO2 Equivalent #
a metric used to express the global warming potential of various greenhouse gases in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) by multiplying the mass of the gas by its global warming potential factor.
Digestate #
the solid and liquid residue resulting from anaerobic digestion, which can be used as a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer for agriculture or further processed for the recovery of valuable resources, such as phosphorus and nitrogen.
Energy Recovery #
the process of converting waste materials into usable heat, electricity, or fuel, thereby reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and recovering valuable resources.
Gasification #
a thermal process that converts organic materials into a syngas (synthesis gas), a mixture of hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), and other gases, by heating the material in a limited oxygen environment, which can be used to generate electricity, heat, or fuels.
Global Warming Potential #
a measure of the relative impact of a greenhouse gas on climate change, compared to carbon dioxide (CO2), over a specific time horizon, usually 100 years.
Greenhouse Gas #
any gas in the atmosphere that contributes to the greenhouse effect by trapping heat and raising the temperature of the Earth's surface, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases.
Landfill Gas #
the mixture of gases, primarily methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste in landfills, which can be captured and used as a fuel for heat and electricity generation.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) #
a systematic method for evaluating the environmental impacts of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal or recycling.
Methane #
a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential approximately 28 times higher than carbon dioxide (CO2) over a 100-year time horizon, which is produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter, such as waste or agricultural byproducts.
Organic Waste #
any waste material of biological origin, including food waste, garden waste, paper, cardboard, and other biodegradable materials, which can be converted into valuable resources through processes such as anaerobic digestion or composting.
Photovoltaics (PV) #
a technology for converting sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials, such as silicon, which can be integrated into building materials or installed as standalone solar panels.
Pyrolysis #
a thermal process that decomposes organic materials in the absence of oxygen, producing a solid residue (char), a liquid (bio-oil), and a gas (syngas), which can be used as fuels or further processed into other products.
Recycling #
the process of converting waste materials into new products, reducing the need for raw materials and energy, and prolonging the life of landfills.
Renewable Energy #
energy generated from sources that are replenished naturally and continuously, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass, in contrast to non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels.
Sustainability #
the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, by balancing economic, social, and environmental objectives.
Waste #
to-Energy (WtE): the conversion of waste materials into energy, such as heat, electricity, or fuel, through various processes, including incineration, anaerobic digestion, gasification, or pyrolysis, thereby reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Waste Management Hierarchy #
a framework for prioritizing waste management strategies, based on their environmental, social, and economic impacts, with the primary goal of reducing waste at the source, followed by prevention, reuse, recycling, energy recovery, and disposal.
Zero Waste #
a philosophy and goal aimed at eliminating waste and maximizing the efficient use of resources, by designing products and systems that minimize waste and pollution, and promoting a culture of reduction, reuse, and recycling.