When we think about human waste, it’s usually not in a positive light. It’s smelly and can carry harmful germs that might make us sick. So, it’s no surprise that we want to get rid of it quickly. But did you know that our waste also contains valuable resources? Let’s take a closer look at what’s in our waste and how it can be useful.
Hi, I’m David from MinuteEarth, and I’m here to break down what’s in our waste. First, let’s talk about the harmful stuff. These are the germs that can make us sick, but they usually only come from people who are already ill. In a big sewage system, these harmful germs are just a tiny part of the whole mix.
Now, let’s talk about the good stuff. About half of our waste is made up of bacteria. These bacteria live in our intestines and help us digest food, especially things like fiber and complex carbs. When we go to the bathroom, we lose some of these helpful bacteria, but don’t worry—they grow back quickly!
Our waste also contains undigested plant matter. Animals that eat a lot of plants have special ways to digest them, but humans don’t. So, we end up passing a lot of the plant material we eat, like fiber, in our waste.
Next, there’s protein, which comes from leftover food, mucus, and cells from our intestines. We also have fats, which might be from extra fat in our diet or from digestion. Lastly, there are things like phosphates from foods such as dairy, and other indigestible bits that might sneak into our bodies.
Right now, we focus on getting rid of the harmful germs in our waste. But if we can do that safely, we can start using the other parts of our waste in helpful ways. For example, some sewage plants use bacteria to create energy. Companies are turning waste proteins into fertilizers for crops. In Australia, researchers found that mixing plant waste with clay makes a great building material. In Kenya, fly larvae eat the fat in treated sewage, and these larvae can be used as animal feed. In Japan, a sewage plant even extracts valuable metals from waste.
Every year, humans produce about 300 billion kilograms of waste. If we can make it safe, there’s a lot we can do with it!
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Research and create a poster that illustrates the different components found in human waste. Include bacteria, undigested plant matter, proteins, fats, and any other elements mentioned in the article. Use images and diagrams to make your poster visually appealing and informative.
Divide into two groups and prepare for a debate. One group will argue for the traditional disposal of waste, while the other will argue for the innovative use of waste as a resource. Use facts from the article to support your arguments and present your case to the class.
Conduct a simple experiment to observe bacteria growth. Use a petri dish and nutrient agar to grow bacteria from different sources, such as soil or yogurt. Document the growth over several days and discuss how bacteria play a role in waste decomposition and energy production.
Write a short story from the perspective of a waste particle traveling through a sewage system. Describe its journey, the different components it encounters, and how it might be transformed into a useful resource. Share your story with the class.
Organize a visit to a local waste treatment facility to see firsthand how waste is processed and treated. Prepare questions to ask the facility staff about how they manage waste and any innovative methods they use to recycle or repurpose waste materials.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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In addition to being unpleasant, human waste contains harmful microbes that can pose serious health risks. It’s no wonder we generally try to dispose of it as quickly as possible. However, our collective sewage also contains many resources that we are currently wasting. So let’s take a moment to appreciate all the components of our waste – not just the harmful ones. In fact, let’s create a breakdown of what’s in waste.
Hi, I’m David and this is MinuteEarth. Here’s our breakdown of everything that’s in waste. Let’s start with the harmful components, which can include various pathogens. These harmful microbes are generally only present in the waste of individuals with gastrointestinal issues; in healthy individuals, they are mostly absent. So when we combine the waste from many people in our sewage systems, these pathogens make up a very small portion of the total.
On the other hand, the beneficial microbe portion of waste is quite significant. In fact, about half of your waste consists of bacteria. These bacteria live in your colon and help break down food components like fiber and complex carbohydrates. Each time you eliminate waste, about a third of your colon bacteria are expelled. Fortunately, the remaining microbes reproduce quickly, allowing them to continue their important work.
Next, we have undigested plant matter. Mammals that consume a lot of plant material often have longer digestive tracts with specialized enzymes and bacteria. Alternatively, some animals consume their waste to aid digestion. Humans, however, do not do this, which means we often excrete a good portion of the plant matter we consume, including fiber.
The next component is mostly protein, which comes from undigested food, mucus, and shed intestinal cells. Following that are fats, which can come from excess dietary fat or fatty acids formed during digestion. Finally, there are other components, such as phosphates from foods like dairy products, along with indigestible substances that may have entered our bodies unintentionally.
Currently, our approach to sewage management is largely driven by the presence of harmful pathogens. While waste can be unpleasant, this reaction is a natural response to potential health risks. If we can effectively eliminate the harmful microbes in our sewage and overcome the stigma, we can explore the other components and their potential uses.
Many sewage treatment facilities are already harnessing the beneficial bacteria to generate energy. Some companies are converting the protein in waste into fertilizer for crops. Additionally, one university in Australia has discovered that mixing undigested plant matter with clay can create a useful building material. In Kenya, an organization is using fly larvae to consume the fat in treated sewage, which can then be used as feed for livestock. Furthermore, a sewage treatment plant in Japan has successfully extracted heavy metals from waste, reclaiming valuable materials.
Once we address the harmful pathogen component of our waste, the remaining portions can be repurposed in various ways. Humans produce approximately 300 billion kilograms of waste each year. If we can make it safe, there are numerous opportunities for reuse.
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This version removes any inappropriate language and maintains a professional tone while conveying the same information.
Waste – Materials that are no longer needed and are discarded, often from human activities or natural processes. – Example sentence: The factory has a system to treat its waste before releasing it into the river to prevent pollution.
Bacteria – Microscopic single-celled organisms that can be found in various environments, some of which can cause disease while others are beneficial. – Example sentence: Bacteria in the soil help decompose organic matter, making nutrients available for plants.
Germs – Microorganisms, especially those that can cause disease, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. – Example sentence: Washing your hands regularly helps prevent the spread of germs that can make you sick.
Protein – Large molecules composed of amino acids that are essential for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s cells, tissues, and organs. – Example sentence: Proteins are important for building muscle and repairing tissues in both humans and animals.
Fats – Nutrients that provide energy and help the body absorb vitamins, also important for cell structure and function. – Example sentence: While fats are an essential part of a healthy diet, consuming too much can lead to health problems.
Phosphates – Compounds containing phosphorus, often used in fertilizers to promote plant growth. – Example sentence: Excess phosphates from agricultural runoff can lead to algae blooms in nearby lakes and rivers.
Plant – A living organism that typically grows in the ground, absorbs water and nutrients through its roots, and uses sunlight to make food through photosynthesis. – Example sentence: The sunflower is a plant that turns its head to follow the sun across the sky.
Resources – Natural materials or substances that are used by living organisms to survive and grow, such as water, air, and minerals. – Example sentence: Conserving natural resources like water and forests is important for maintaining a healthy environment.
Energy – The ability to do work or cause change, which organisms obtain from food or sunlight to perform life processes. – Example sentence: Plants convert sunlight into energy through the process of photosynthesis.
Fertilizer – A substance added to soil to supply nutrients that help plants grow better. – Example sentence: Farmers use fertilizer to enrich the soil and increase crop yields.
