Abattoirs and environmental stewardship: global perspectives and legal frameworks for effective waste management in slaughterhouses

Abattoirs or slaughterhouses, are an essential component of the global meat industry, processing millions of animals annually to meet the growing demand for animal protein. However, their operations generate large quantities of waste, including solid waste (bones, hooves, offal), liquid waste (blood, wastewater), and gaseous emissions (methane, ammonia). Inadequate waste management can lead to severe environmental issues, including water pollution, soil degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and the spread of zoonotic diseases.