| In spite of the increase in agricultural wastes, agribusiness firms are not assuming those costs associated with avoiding, reducing, or treating agricultural wastes. As a result, those who are not involved in the agricultural production process are finally assuming the external costs of increasing agricultural production, such as wastewater pollution, and CO2, NO2, CH4 emissions.; However, those costs to society could be avoided if firms internalize the environmental costs of agricultural production, using the “ polluters pay” principle. One way of achieving this goal, could be done through the establishment of efficient systems for agricultural production, like for example the installation of a bio-digester that processes agricultural wastes. This tool has been widely used through the world and has proved to be highly effective in controlling wastewater pollution.; For this purpose, this research proposes a technical, economic, and environmental study of the bio-digester, as an alternative for the treatment of wastewaters generated in the swine farm of the Agricultural Experiment Substation (AESL) in Lajas, Puerto Rico. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
