Chapter 18 - Energy, nutrient, and water resource recovery from agriculture and aquaculture wastes

Abstract

Intense anthropogenic activity and consumerist culture of the global billions generate millions of tons of wastes throughout the world on a day-to-day basis. India with its approximately 1.3 billion people, that is 18% of the world population, also contributes substantially to waste generation and deposition. Although these wastes are rich in nutrients, organic compounds, and energy, they are not properly managed and exploited toward recovery and reuse. Efficient resource recovery and reuse can create sustainable livelihood and also support green economy by reducing waste and improving general environmental health and recovery of cost. Thus there is a need to recycle and reuse the waste produced from various sources in an efficient manner to meet the demand. This chapter elaborates the description of major agriculture and aquaculture wastes in India and focuses primarily on recovery of agriculture and aquaculture wastes for reuse and recycling. Since the amount of waste, particularly wastewater produced in India by agri-aquaculture practices, is huge, various avenues of recycling and eventual reuse have been discussed. Finally the contribution of the resource recovery approach toward bio-based economy has been considered.