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3 Things Your Food Waste Could Be Turned Into When You Use A Recycling Service

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Statistics say one-third of the food produced around the globe today is wasted. Shocking to some and predictable to others, this news might get you wondering just what could be done with all this waste if it were properly recycled. All those leftovers that rot in homes and restaurants are a missing opportunity to create something new, from fuel to cosmetics to pet food. Here's how your own waste could be put to better use with a rendering and recycling service.

1. Fuel

Considering all the ruckus around fuel in the world, it may surprise you that something as simple as nightly leftovers can be turned into its own fuel source. It's all made possible by a process called hydrothermal liquefaction. Waste food is put through pressure cooking at a very high temperature to create two liquids: wastewater and bio-crude oil. The bio-crude oil can be transformed into liquid biofuel after a refining process. And despite its name, even the wastewater — which contains organic carbon — doesn't go to waste. This can be turned into biomethane when reacted with microbes that digest the waste.

2. Cosmetics

Makeup and waste may seem like they're on opposite ends of the spectrum, but the lip balm you apply every morning could be produced using fruit waste. One small-batch producer managed to create a lip balm from fruit waste by processing it until it transforms into a sustainable, biodegradable formula. Likewise, sweet whey powder can be produced using milk and cheese product waste. One recycled, this powder can be added to creams, lotions, soaps, and more to create an all-natural, earth-friendly pampering experience.

3. Pet food

Many people know that pet foods are typically made using meat by-products, but what many pet owners don't know is that even waste meat can be used to produce safe pet meals. The transformation process starts with rendering the meat products using meat processors. Next, the waste is transferred to machinery which grinds it into the correct texture. Next, it undergoes a pre-cooking phase in a continuous cooker with live steam under appropriate temperatures. When all this is done, the meat waste is finally ready for use in dog and cat food. The mixture is typically blended with a range of other ingredients (including vitamins, minerals, grains, and vegetables), then sterilised and packaged safely. This turns it into the wet and dry kibble you'd recognise in any pet food bowl, creating a product that as tasty as it is sustainable.

To learn more about food waste recycling, contact a recycling company in your area.


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