Addressing the Methane Crisis: A Sustainable, Methane-Free Approach to Animal Carcass Disposal

The Urgent Methane Challenge

Recent studies show methane emissions are exceeding previous climate projections. Methane is over 80 times more potent than CO₂ at trapping heat over a 20-year period, making it one of the most urgent greenhouse gases to address.

Landfills are a primary source of methane, with decomposing organic matter—including animal carcasses—creating large methane plumes that contribute to:

• Accelerated global warming
• Landfill fires triggered by methane buildup
• Toxic smoke and air quality issues in nearby communities
• Disease spread from infected remains scavenged by birds and vermin

Many municipalities, particularly small island nations and rural regions, still rely on landfill disposal for animal remains. Without intervention, this creates public health risks, waste management inefficiencies, and significant environmental damage.

Why Putrescible Waste is a Methane Hotspot

“Putrescible waste” refers to any organic matter that decomposes quickly and produces odors, including animal remains. In a landfill’s anaerobic conditions, this waste generates methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Even landfills with methane capture systems often fail to capture over 50% of total methane emissions. This results in:

Public health crises due to prolonged air pollution

Uncontrolled fires that burn for weeks or months

Soil and groundwater contamination

Rising operational costs for municipalities attempting fire suppression

Aquaternal’s Alkaline Hydrolysis: A Zero-Waste Alternative

Aquaternal offers a proven, methane-free alternative to traditional animal carcass disposal:

• 🔹 Minimal Air Emissions: Water cremation releases only water vapor and trace CO₂; most carbon remains safely locked in sterile effluent.
• 🔹 No Methane Generation: Diverts carcasses from landfill burial, eliminating the risk of methane buildup and fire hazards.
• 🔹 Upcycling Waste:
  • Liquid effluent becomes a nutrient-rich soil amendment, ideal for reforestation and regenerative agriculture.
  • Bone remains are processed into bone meal for soil enrichment and biodiversity restoration.
• 🔹 Scalable Systems: Units can be customized for municipal facilities, animal shelters, or island nations with limited space and infrastructure.
• 🔹 Public Health Safeguards: Neutralizes pathogens, preventing disease spread from infected remains.

By integrating Aquaternal’s alkaline hydrolysis system, municipalities can meet sustainability goals, prevent landfill fires, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Driving Climate Action Through Innovation

With methane emissions outpacing expectations, municipal waste strategies must evolve. Aquaternal’s patented alkaline hydrolysis technology provides:

A scalable platform for sustainable waste management in urban, rural, and island environments

A cost-effective, zero-waste solution

A way to separate organic waste streams and reduce landfill pressure

Call To Action

Municipal leaders, environmental agencies, and animal control services can act now to:

• Eliminate methane risk from animal disposal
• Adopt scalable, climate-friendly technology
• Transform waste into valuable resources