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{{about|environmentally-friendly technologies|websites and platforms that position themselves as alternatives to mainstream offerings|alt-tech}}
'''Alternative technology''' is a term used to refer to technologies that are more [[environmentally friendly]] than the functionally equivalent technologies dominant in current practice. The term was coined by [[Peter Harper (alternative technologist)|Peter Harper]],<ref name="Reunion broadcast">{{cite web |title=The Reunion - The Centre for Alternative Technology - BBC Sounds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b01s393k |website=www.bbc.co.uk |accessdate=11 July 2019 |date=28 April 2014}}</ref>{{rp|13.59}} one of the founders of the [[Centre for Alternative Technology]], [[North Wales]] (a.k.a. ''The Quarry''),<ref name="Reunion broadcast" />{{rp|02.24}} in [[Undercurrents (magazine)]] in the 1970s. Alternative Technologies are created to be safer, cleaner, and overall more efficient.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epa.gov/rmp/chemical-safety-alert-safer-technology-and-alternatives|title=Chemical Safety Alert: Safer Technology and Alternatives|last=US EPA|first=OLEM|date=2015-06-05|website=US EPA|language=en|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref> The goals of alternative technology are to decrease demand for critical elements by ensuring a secure supply of technology that is environmentally friendly, increased efficiency with lower costs, and with more common materials to avoid potential future materials crises.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2016/finalwebsite/solutions/alttechnology.html|title=Alternative Technology|website=web.mit.edu|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref> Alternative technologies use [[renewable energy]] sources such as solar power and wind energy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.justenergy.com/blog/7-types-of-renewable-energy-the-future-of-energy/|title=7 Types of Renewable Energy: The Future of Energy - Just Energy Blog|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref> Some alternative technologies have in the past or may in the future become widely adopted, after which they might no longer be considered "alternative."  For example, the use of [[wind turbine]]s<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/how-do-wind-turbines-work|title=How Do Wind Turbines Work?|website=Energy.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-10-04}}</ref> to produce electricity.

==Alternative technologies listed==
Alternative technologies include the following:
{{div col start}}
* [[Anaerobic digestion]]
** [[Biogas]]
** [[Landfill gas]] extraction
* [[Composting]]
* Alternative fuel vehicles
* [[Greywater]]
* [[Photovoltaic module|Solar panel]]s
** Silicon-based
** [[Photosynthetic]] "[[Gratzel cell]]s" ([[Titanium dioxide]])
* [[Recycling]]
* [[Wind turbine]]s

{{div col end}}

== Alternative technologies explained ==

=== Anaerobic digestion ===

* Biogas, landfill gas extraction

[[Anaerobic digestion]] is a series of biological processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material when there is no oxygen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://americanbiogascouncil.org/resources/what-is-anaerobic-digestion/|title=What is Anaerobic Digestion? {{!}} American Biogas Council|last=Dombrowski|first=Brian|date=2018-12-04|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref> During anaerobic digestion, one of the end products is biogas, which is combusted to generate electricity and heat, or can be processed into renewable natural gas and transportation fuels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://americanbiogascouncil.org/resources/what-is-anaerobic-digestion/|title=What is Anaerobic Digestion? {{!}} American Biogas Council|last=Dombrowski|first=Brian|date=2018-12-04|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref> Anaerobic digestion is considered alternative technology because it is a way to create [[energy]] using materials that can be broken down and reused for something else.

=== Composting ===
[[Compost]] is [[organic matter]] that has been [[Biodegradation|decomposed]] in a process called composting, which is the breaking down of the materials within that item. This process [[Recycling|recycles]] various organic materials otherwise regarded as waste products and produces a [[soil conditioner]] (the ''compost'').<ref>{{Citation|title=Compost|date=2019-11-28|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Compost&oldid=928345565|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref> Composting is considered alternative technology because it is an environmentally friendly way to use decomposed waste and use it to condition soil. Because compost improves soil structure, adds beneficial microbes, and boosts [[Cation-exchange capacity|cation exchange capacity]] (CEC), compost improves water and nutrients in the soil, and makes nutrients more readily available to plants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.planetnatural.com/composting-101/soil-science/myths/|title=Composting Myths -- Busted!|website=Planet Natural|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref>

=== Alternative fuel vehicles ===
[[Alternative fuel vehicle]]s are vehicles that run on a fuel other than traditional fuels such as [[Petroleum fuel|petroleum fuels]] ([[petrol]] or [[Diesel fuel]]).<ref name="Alternative fuel vehicle - Wikipedia">{{Citation|title=Alternative fuel vehicle|date=2019-12-06|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_fuel_vehicle&oldid=929569011|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref> Alternative fuel vehicles are widely known as electric cars, cars that run on a [[Battery electric vehicle|battery]] that needs to simply be charged. Gas is never required for the car to run, which is efficient for the environment. Alternative fuel vehicles were created because of environmental concerns and high oil prices and is a cleaner alternative.<ref name="Alternative fuel vehicle - Wikipedia" /> Alternative fuel vehicles will protect against global warming as well as pollution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cleverism.com/10-reasons-to-use-alternative-fuels/|title=10 Reasons to Use Alternative Fuels & The Future of Automobiles|date=2015-01-24|website=Cleverism|language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref> The most popular electric car in the US is a [[Tesla, Inc.|Tesla]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/the-top-5-most-popular-cars/|title=The top 5 most popular electric cars in the US|last=Cooley|first=Brian|website=Roadshow|language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref>
Alternative fuel vehicles also include [[hydrogen fuel cell vehicles]].

=== Greywater reuse ===
[[Greywater]] is gently used water from your bathroom sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines. It is not water that has come into contact with feces, either from the toilet or from washing diapers.<ref name="Greywater Reuse - Greywater Action">{{Cite web|url=https://greywateraction.org/greywater-reuse/|title=Greywater Reuse|website=Greywater Action|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref> This water is relatively clean water that has been used in everyday things such as water from the shower. This water is reused as a safe and beneficial source of irrigation in a yard because it is safe to plants and acts as a fertilizer. People are encouraged to use greywater irrigation systems on their plants and [[landscaping]] because it will save water and reduce water bills within a household.<ref name="Greywater Reuse - Greywater Action" /> Grey[[water reuse]] is considered an alternative technology because it is an environmentally friendly way to reuse and save water.  

=== Solar panels ===
[[File:Solar panels in the desert.jpg|thumb|Solar panels]]
[[Solar panel]]s absorb [[sunlight]] as a source of energy to generate direct current [[electricity]]. Solar panels are used to generate and supplies [[solar electricity]] and are often found on household roofs or in fields (especially in the desert, like in the photo to the right). Solar power is an efficient way to achieve a clean energy future. Every day, the sun gives off far more energy than we need to power everything on earth.<ref name="fortum">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fortum.com/about-us/our-company/our-energy-production/solar-power-unlimited-source-energy|title=Solar energy - facts and advantages about solar power {{!}} Fortum|website=www.fortum.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref> Solar panels are renewable, CO<sub>2</sub> free, and have low operating costs because they simply use the suns energy to produce electricity and once they are installed, there are no further variable costs.<ref name="fortum" /> One issue with solar panels is that they are expensive, and even though they will eventually be worth it, they are an investment."In 2019, the average cost of installing solar panels is $3.05 per watt, so with the average system size tallying in at 6 kilowatts, this means that the average solar panel system cost in the U.S. is around $12,810 after tax credits are applied."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestreet.com/technology/average-cost-of-solar-panels-14875697|title=What Is the Average Cost of Solar Panels in 2019?|last=White|first=Jacquelyn|website=Stock Market - Business News, Market Data, Stock Analysis - TheStreet|language=en-us|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref>

=== Recycling ===
'''Recycling''' is the process of converting [[waste]] materials into new materials and objects. It is an alternative to "conventional" waste disposal that can save material and help lower [[greenhouse gas emissions]]. "Recycling can prevent the waste of potentially useful materials and reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, thereby reducing: energy usage, air pollution (from [[incineration]]), and water pollution (from [[Landfill|landfilling]])". It is considered an alternative technology because it is an alternative and cleaner way to dispose of garbage that can be reused or used for something else. Recycling includes extracting and processing raw resources such as wood and oil to make usable materials such as paper and plastic requires a lot of energy.<ref name="How does recycling save energy? | American Geosciences Institute">{{Cite web|url=https://www.americangeosciences.org/critical-issues/faq/how-does-recycling-save-energy|title=How does recycling save energy?|date=2014-06-17|website=American Geosciences Institute|language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref> Recycling  saves energy because the products being recycled usually require much less processing to turn them into usable materials.<ref name="How does recycling save energy? | American Geosciences Institute" />

=== Wind turbines ===
[[File:Middelgrunden wind farm 2009-07-01 edit filtered.jpg|thumb|Wind turbines]]

Wind turbines are considered a form of alternative technology because their purpose is converting wind into electrical energy. As wind blows, it pushes the turbines to spin, gathering electrical energy. There are wind farms all over the world and many even in bodies of water, as shown in the picture to the right. Wind turbines are a cheaper and efficient alternative for getting electrical energy and continue to be used all over the world.
 
== See also ==
* [[Appropriate technology]]
* [[Environmental technology]]
* [[List of solid waste treatment technologies]]
* [[List of waste water treatment technologies]]
* [[Open-source appropriate technology]]
* [[Soft energy technology]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060613075254/http://www.cat.org.uk/index.tmpl Centre for Alternative Technology, N Wales]
* [http://www.buildinggreen.com/products/recycled_wood.cfm Recycled wood]
* [http://peopleinaction.info/archive/technology.html Technological alternatives]
* [http://www.ata.org.au/ Australia's alternative technology association]
* [http://www.greenprogress.com/ Alternative technology news and resources]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040328132128/http://global1.kyocera.com/company/ecology.html Kyocera]
* [http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=2210 Gratzel Cells - Solar Cells Based on Titanium Dioxide]
* [http://www.cat.org.uk/ Centre for Alternative Energy (European)]
* [http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/index_en.html EU Intelligent Energy]
*[http://www.humanecologyreview.org/pastissues/her122/smith.pdf The Alternative Technology Movement]

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[[Category:Biodegradable waste management]]
[[Category:Technology by type]]
[[Category:Environmental technology]]
[[Category:Waste treatment technology]]
[[Category:Sustainable technologies]]