When people think about waste, they often think about disposal. But not all waste is meant to be thrown away.

As part of the Waste2Wealth Project, participants explored one of the less familiar forms of upcycling; converting organic waste into biogas, a renewable energy source that can be used for everyday needs. Unlike plastic, metal, or other recyclable materials, biogas is produced from biodegradable waste such as animal waste and other organic matter. Instead of allowing these materials to accumulate or decompose without use, they can be processed inside a biodigester to produce gas that serves as an alternative energy source.

For many participants, the training offered a new perspective on materials that are often overlooked.

Through practical sessions, participants explored what happens when organic waste is intentionally repurposed instead of discarded. And using materials such as animal waste and other biodegradable matter, the sessions introduced the process through which these materials break down in a biodigester to produce biogas, a renewable source of energy.

For many participants, the experience created a more practical understanding of waste and its possibilities. Materials often viewed as unusable were presented in a different context, not as something to manage, but as something that can be transformed. To make the process easier to understand, a 250-litre mini biodigester plant was established as part of the activity, allowing participants to see how organic waste can transform into usable energy.

The demonstrations also highlighted some of the everyday uses of biogas, particularly for household activities such as cooking, showing how approaches like this can support more efficient use of available resources.

Hence, at its core, the activity encouraged participants to look beyond disposal and consider the value that can still exist within materials often treated as waste.