Explained | Why Microsoft is spending billions to buy nearly 5 million metric tons of human waste

Would you believe someone saying they are buying poop — and that too from almost every dirty corner of the planet? Well, it’s actually true. Tech giant Microsoft is buying tons and tons of human waste in a bid to shrink its carbon footprint.

In one of its recent approach towards sustainability, Microsoft has signed a deal to purchase 4.9 million metric tonnes of organic waste, including sewage sludge, over the next 12 years.

The spend? Huge. Noting each ton costs $350, the company would spend around $1.7 billion to meet its green goals in this project.