We often assume that waste marks the end of a cycle. In reality, there’s great potential for energy production if organic waste is processed properly.
Organic waste comes from various sources, ranging from household trash to agricultural residues. Since it decomposes easily, this type of waste can be turned into renewable energy sources such as biogas.
So, what kinds of organic waste can be transformed into energy? Let’s explore the answers in this article.
Why Can Organic Waste Be Used as an Energy Source?
Nearly all human activities generate organic waste. Without proper management, the accumulation of this waste can become a serious problem.
Yet behind what we consider mere trash lies the potential to become biogas, a clean, renewable energy source.
Both liquid and solid waste from households, farms, and industries can be converted into biogas through anaerobic digestion, a process that breaks down waste without oxygen.
On a larger scale, biogas can replace fossil fuels, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
Read More: Why Biogas Can Save Energy: Here’s the Real Fact!
7 Types of Organic Waste That Can Be Used to Produce Energy
Curious about which types of organic waste can be turned into biogas? Here are some of the most commonly used ones:
1. Food Waste
Leftovers from the kitchen (rice, vegetables, fruit peels, even soft bones) fall under the category of organic waste due to their biodegradable nature.
They are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which microorganisms can easily ferment to produce biogas.
Read More: The Best Energy Alternative to Fossil Fuels: Is LNG the Answer?
2. Fruit and Vegetable Peels and Seeds
Think twice before tossing those peels and seeds! Kitchen scraps like banana peels, watermelon rinds, mango seeds, and potato skins are often overlooked, yet they break down easily and can produce methane gas during anaerobic fermentation.
3. Fish Bones
Commonly discarded by households and seafood restaurants, fish bones are a type of animal-based organic waste. Due to their high calcium and phosphorus content, they can also be converted into biogas.
Read More: The Crucial Role of Alternative Electricity Sources in Shaping Our Future
4. Wood Waste
Wood waste, including sawdust, wood chips, tree branches, and scrap timber, is often burned or thrown away.
However, wood contains cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which can all be used as sources of bioenergy.
5. Animal and Human Waste
Though it might sound unpleasant, animal (cow, goat, chicken) and even human waste are rich in organic matter and highly suitable for renewable energy production.
Through anaerobic fermentation, these types of waste can be converted into methane-rich biogas as an alternative fuel.
Read More: Top Benefits of Natural Gas, More Than Just Low Emissions
6. Waste from the Leather Industry
Tanning processes and other leather industries generate large amounts of waste.
Solid waste like skin trimmings, meat scraps, and tissue residues is often discarded, even though they contain proteins and other organic materials that can be used to produce bioenergy or biogas.
7. Animal Carcasses
Whether from farms, slaughterhouses, or household waste, animal carcasses are typically seen as sources of foul odor and disease. But with the right technology, even carcasses can be converted into usable biogas.
Read More: Why Switching to Green Energy Matters and How It Impacts the Planet?
BioLNG: Clean Energy from Organic Waste
Waste such as livestock manure, food scraps, and agricultural residues can be processed anaerobically to produce biogas, primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide.
BioLNG is created by purifying this biogas to separate the methane from other gases, resulting in high-purity biomethane. This biomethane is then liquefied by cooling it to extremely low temperatures, producing BioLNG.
Some of the key benefits of BioLNG include:
- Reduced carbon dioxide emissions
- Lower nitrogen oxide emissions
- Minimal particulate emissions
Since it’s produced from renewable organic waste, BioLNG not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also promotes sustainable waste management.
References:
- Paiton Energy. Accessed 2025. Potensi Limbah Organik untuk Energi Bersih di Indonesia
- DLH Kabupaten Buleleng. Accessed 2025. 10 Contoh Sampah Organik di Sekitar Kita
- Green Create. Accessed 2025. Our Green Solution: Bio LNG
- Nordsol. Accessed 2025. What is bio-LNG and How Is It Made?
