Milk is one of those dairy products which comes with a shelf life of 2-3 days. Milk has a pH of 6.7 which makes it slightly acidic.
Milk can get spoiled whether it is refrigerated or left on the shelf. Spoiled milk is rich in bacteria that require oxygen for breakdown.
With the highest biological oxygen demand (BOD), spoiled milk is considered to be a potential hazard to the environment.
Moreover, when disposed of improperly, it poses a serious threat to marine life and does great damage to nearby ecosystems.
However, simple disposal methods can reduce the potential risks caused by spilling spoiled milk mindlessly.
Difference Between Sour And Spoiled Milk
To pick a disposal method for spoiled milk, one concept must be cleared.
Sour milk is milk that has been left out for some time and has gone acidic. This involves the over-production of lactobacillus bacteria which convert lactose into lactic acid, hence the sour taste.
Spoiled milk is milk that has been left unrefrigerated after opening. Expired milk or milk that has passed its shelf life is also called spoiled milk.
Spoiled milk has an unbearable odor and a yellowish hue. Furthermore, it develops lumps too.
However, the bacterial species involved in the sourness of milk are not similar to the bacterium causing the spoilage of milk.
Improper Disposal Methods And Their Effects On The Environment
Milk is acidic in nature and has a pH of 6.7. After the microbial activity, the pH of milk falls down indicating spoilage and its elevated acidic nature.
Spoiled milk should not be disposed of in kitchen sinks or flushed down the toilet because they cause serious damage to the environment.
Spoiled milk is high in bacteria that demand a rich oxygen supply for its breakdown. Biological oxygen demand (BOD) poses a serious threat to aquatic life as they are deprived of their oxygen supply.
Moreover, if large quantities of spoiled milk are thrown into the rivers, the bacteria in spoiled milk seriously threaten a healthy ecosystem.
Spoiled milk not only threatens marine life but also puts human life at risk.
Efficient Ways To Dispose Of Spoiled Milk
Spoiled milk is biodegradable but demands huge amounts of oxygen for its breakdown. Spoiled milk is unfit for human as well as pet consumption because it can cause serious digestive tract issues.
Spoiled milk is either left to biodegrade with other components just like in compost.
Spoiled milk can also be treated anaerobically in specialized mechanical systems or chambers to recover energy.
Some eco-friendly spoiled milk disposal methods are listed below.
Add Spoiled Milk In The Compost Pile
Pouring spoiled milk into your compost pile is one of the most eco-friendly methods of disposal.
Adding spoiled milk to your compost pile enriches it with nutrients. Spoiled milk is rich in calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Surprisingly, these are the components mainly present in the fertilizer.
Simply pour spoiled milk at the center of your compost pile and cover it with other composting material to avoid bad odors.
Once optimum heat levels are reached, the breakdown of spoiled milk starts, enriching the compost with essential nutrients for plant growth.
Anaerobic Digestion For Energy Recovery
Spoiled milk consists of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Spoiled milk is a pollutant in aerobic environments. Anaerobic digestion, however, is a suitable method for disposing of spoiled milk.
Anaerobic digestion of spoiled milk results in the stabilization of organic matter and produces a significant amount of methane.
This whole treatment is also known as energy valorization by the biochemical process.
However, this disposal method requires an Anaerobic Digestion (AD) system where spoiled milk is co-digested to recover methane gas.
Use As A Fertilizer
To dispose of spoiled milk immediately, dilute it with water and spray it near the roots of plants.
Spoiled milk is unfit for human consumption but it is beneficial for plant health and growth.
Spoiled milk is enriched with minerals required for healthy plant growth, so spoiled milk can be disposed of as a fertilizer.
This disposal method is safe for the environment and causes no harm to ecosystems.
However, ensure there is no water body near the dispose area.
Dispose Of At A Dedicated Trench
Spoiled milk is bio-degradable but it produces an unbearable smell.
For larger quantities of spoiled milk, such as in food units or farms, the burial method may be effective.
A trench lined with non-permeable material is used to dispose of spoiled milk. Spoiled milk is poured into the trench and covered with soil. This method is optimal for large quantities of spoiled milk.
Lining the base of the trench with non-permeable material ensures no seepage or leakage of milk from the trench. Because in case of seepage, a nearby water body might become vulnerable to BOD bacteria.
Disposal At Landfill Site
One of the commonly used spoiled milk disposal methods includes disposal at a landfill site.
Before dumping spoiled milk at the landfill site, make sure to transfer it to a polyethylene bag or at least take it out of the milk carton or glass container.
Spoiled milk has bacteria in it. This bacterial population keeps on increasing and when temperatures rise, spoiled milk can burst its milk container.
Hence it is better to transfer it to a polyethylene bag and tie a knot on the top of the bag. Furthermore, you can dispose of spoiled milk in your regular garbage can by following this method.
Conclusion
Milk is an excellent nutrient source but spoiled milk is extremely toxic to the environment.
The oxygen-demanding bacteria deplete natural ecosystems by feeding on oxygen and deprive marine life of their oxygen supply.
Efficient disposal methods that pose no threat to the environment must be adopted to dispose of spoiled milk.
Flushing down milk from a sinkhole or toilet bowl is never recommended because it may get mixed with groundwater and contaminate it.
Convenient disposal ways include using spoiled milk as a fertilizer and adding it to the compost pile. You can also choose a landfill site to dispose of spoiled milk.
