Agro-Industrial Waste Management: The Circular and Bioeconomic Perspective

Abstract

Traditional agricultural production is circular. Virtually no waste is produced. Residues are returned to soil as compost; used as bedding material in livestock husbandry (and returned to soil as compost) or as feed to produce animal protein and manure; utilized as construction materials; or fuel for domestic energy. Circular agricultural production ensures soil conservation, waste reduction, residues reuse, and recycling. The ever rising global population, and demand for food and agro-industrial products, necessitated a transition to linear agricultural production which generates enormous quantities of agricultural residues, agro-industrial, and food wastes. The economic losses, environmental degradation, and health hazards resulting from poor management of excess wastes, and their mitigation have been the subject of research and policy efforts at continental and regional levels. Current waste management models redirect attention to circular agricultural production and bioeconomic approaches aimed at waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. Such approaches view agricultural wastes as raw materials with economic benefits for the farmer, consumer, and investor in varied industrial enterprises (crop and animal production, animal and human health, food, beverage, neutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and material industries). The present review attempts to collate information on global production, and possible valorization of recyclable agro-industrial residues and food wastes.