Chapter 1 - Sustainability challenges in the valorization of agri-food wastes and by-products

Abstract

In the current global circumstances (e.g., food insecurity, economic instability, recession, pandemic situation through COVID-19, etc.), a sustainable approach needs to be adopted ensure successful food production and supply chain. Globally, along the entire agri-food supply chain, enormous amounts of wastes and by-products are generated. Ineffective and unsustainable management of these wastes and by-products can be seen as a representative reflection of the socioeconomic situation of a region. In addition, environmental issues and policies adopted by a region can also have their own effects. Recent decades have witnessed globalization and free trade policies that have led to a wide range of innovative food products entering the international market. Accordingly, it is anticipated that agri-food processing industries will continue to expand in the coming decades, thus contributing toward the production of huge volumes of wastes and/or by-products. In this sense, an ecologically conscious system revolving around zero waste generation and circular economy concepts for effective valorization of agri-food industrial wastes/by-products is envisaged to contribute toward an improved economy as well as minimizing the negative impacts on the environment. Also, effective valorization of agri-food wastes/by-products can contribute significantly to regional food security, and thereby ensure sustainability in the entire production and supply chain. In this chapter, some of the crucial sustainability challenges witnessed with regard to valorization of agri-food wastes/by-products, innovations in the complex agri-food supply systems, and overcoming some of the industrial barriers are discussed. Further, the currently existing gaps, future sustainability challenges, and opportunities are identified and deliberated on.