Including Food Waste Research Articles

Economic assessment of MSW reduction policy in the Republic of Kazakhstan using contingent valuation method

The growth of waste, including food waste, is one of the main environmental problems of current time. Our planet is increasingly covered with waste every year, and a large area is formed under landfills. Therefore, the ways to reduce waste effectively are being investigated by worldwide scientists. Composting is one of the proven means of dealing with food (organic) waste. Fortunately, this method of recycling food waste is actively practiced in Kazakhstan. However, statistics show that food waste recycling is still developing slowly. Only 3% of the total amount of waste processed is food waste. To develop effective strategies for addressing environmental programs, scientists propose using the CV method to determine the monetary value of environmental benefits. Furthermore, the examination of household behaviour regarding food waste is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of government environmental programs. The results of this study showed that Kazakhstanis expressed their willingness to support the environmental initiative and pay 10 tenge more for utilities if this money was used to create food industry enterprises. This amount will be 600 million per year. The results of the regression analysis showed the importance of age and leading an environmentally friendly lifestyle in supporting environmental initiatives. Although we consider the results of this study to be preliminary data and continue to work on scaling the sample size, the chosen method of analysis may nonetheless be of interest to other researchers in the field.

Production of hydrochar from the hydrothermal carbonisation of food waste feedstock for use as an adsorbent in removal of heavy metals from water

AbstractIn this research, discarded butternut peels were converted into hydrochar products through hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC), with adjustments made to the temperature (ranging from 180 to 260℃) and residence time (spanning 45–180 min). The findings indicated that both the temperature and time of carbonisation significantly influenced the yield of hydrochar (HC), as well as its physiochemical and structural properties. Higher temperatures and prolonged residence time led to decreased yield, elevated fixed carbon content and an increased fuel ratio. Furthermore, raising the process conditions increased HHV and reduced the oxygen-containing functional groups. The HC yield dropped from 28.75 to 17.58% with increased carbonisation temperature and time. The findings of this study also suggest that modified hydrochar is a promising material for removing heavy metals from wastewater. It is a relatively low-cost and abundant material that can be produced from various biomass feedstocks, including food waste. In addition, it is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option for wastewater treatment. Hydrochar-based systems offer several advantages over traditional methods of heavy metal removal, such as chemical precipitation and ion exchange. The unique physicochemical characteristics of hydrochar, including its porous structure and oxygen-rich functional groups, offer a high surface area and more binding sites for heavy metal ions. By changing the physicochemical properties of hydrochar with chemicals like phosphoric acid, it is possible to increase its adsorption capacity. The Freundlich isotherm was the best fit for the adsorption data for all three metal ions (Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+), indicating that the adsorption process is multilayer and heterogeneous.

Characterization of waste composition as a basis for developing a community-based 3R TPS system in waste management efforts in Pandansari Lor Village, Malang Regency

Background: The issue of waste management has become a major concern in many regions, including Pandansari Lor Village, Malang Regency. To address this challenge, it is necessary to develop an effective waste management system that involves the active participation of the community. This study aims to determine the waste composition in Pandansari Lor Village as a basis for developing a 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Transfer Station (TPS) system that is tailored to the needs of the community. Method: The research methodology includes primary data collection through sampling and analysis of waste composition, as well as secondary data collection from relevant sources. Findings: The results show that the waste composition in Pandansari Lor Village is dominated by organic waste, including food waste (58.42%) and garden waste (3.84%), followed by plastic waste (26.74%), paper waste (5.89%), and other types of waste. Conclusion: These findings provide valuable insights for the design and implementation of a community-based 3R TPS system that can effectively manage the waste generated in the village. The proposed system aims to maximize resource recovery, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, and promote sustainable waste management practices within the community. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study develops a waste disposal model tailored to the specific waste composition of the village, focusing on processing organic waste into high-quality compost and recycling plastic into products of economic value. The model also integrates a community-based education system to increase participation in waste sorting at source.

Phosphorus and bioenergy recovery from anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and corn residues with digested sludge: effect of HRT and pre-treatment methods

AbstractOrganic wastes from the human ecosystem including food waste (FW), agricultural waste and digested sludge (DS) from wastewater treatment can be utilized as valuable materials in anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) for the dual purpose of bioenergy production and phosphorus (P) recovery through a chemical precipitation process. In this study, AcoD using FW and corn residues (CS) with DS for simultaneous sustainable phosphate release and biogas production were investigated. Different hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 10, 20, and 30 days were investigated, and FW was grinded, while CS pre-treatment methods including physical (FWCS), chemical (FWCS-Chem), and thermal (FWCS-Temp) were considered. The substrates of FW and CS compositions were conducted with a total organic loading of 6 g volatile solids (VS)/L/d (5 FW/1 CS) with a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N) of 24. The results indicate that FWCS-Chem showed the highest cumulative biogas production simultaneously with P release at HRT 20 days with 7279 L/m3 and 29.67%, respectively. Moreover, the effluent from all digesters exhibited a Mg/P ratio above 1, suitable for struvite precipitation without an external Mg source. Accordingly, FW, FWCS, and FWCS-Chem achieved P recovery rates of 63.64%, 69.75%, and 70.19% at 20-day HRT, with corresponding P contents in solids of 9.45, 9.43, and 8.29%, respectively. These values are comparable to commercial phosphate fertilizer containing 8.80% P. Moreover, incinerating the precipitating solids offers high-quality P concentrations in solids of up to 15.52, 16.32, and 16.31%, respectively. Hence, 20-day HRT was found to be the optimal condition for FW, CS, and DS for anaerobic co-digestion, resulting in the highest biogas production, P release, and maximum financial return for P recovery. Graphical abstract Phosphorus and bioenergy recovery from anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and corn residues with digested sludge.

Construction of a Biogas Digester Using Gas and Temperature Sensor

The construction of a biogas digester is the main emphasis of this project. Biogas is a mixture of gases created during the anaerobic decomposition of organic material, including food waste, animal waste, sewage, and waste from farms and plants. One of the major causes is environmental degradation, which has emerged to be the greatest threat to the health of the environment and the economy of the underdeveloped areas. But with the discovery and application of biogas which is a gaseous fuel obtained from biomass by the process of anaerobic digestion, most problems are resolved. The project’s aim is to create a biogas digester that leverages animal manure to generate biogas for usage at Covenant University. The digester selected for construction is a barrel drum digester for the production of biogas using cow dung. The cow dung was tested for a total of 14 days, during which the days of gas production and digestion were observed, and the biogas was then tested with the gas and temperature sensor and was confirmed to detect gas and temperature.

Hydrothermal carbonization: Sustainable pathways for waste‐to‐energy conversion and biocoal production

AbstractHydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technology emerges as a sustainable method to convert wet biomass, including food waste and municipal solid waste into high‐energy dense biocoal. This process, conducted at temperatures ranging from 180 to 260°C and pressures of 10–50 bar, effectively transforms the organic material in wet biomass into solid, liquid, and gaseous outputs. The solid product, biocoal, possesses a high carbon concentration and heating values on par with lignite coal, presenting a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Despite operational commercial‐scale HTC facilities globally, further adoption across various feedstocks can improve waste management and energy production. The process can achieve energy yields up to 80%, particularly at temperatures favoring the generation of secondary char with higher heating values. HTC not only aids in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration in solid waste but also promotes environmental sustainability by yielding nutrient‐rich by‐products for agriculture. As a versatile and energy‐efficient solution, HTC technology is a pivotal innovation in waste‐to‐energy conversion, addressing the imperative for sustainable waste management. Other supplementary benefits are presented; they include higher employability, reduction of a nation's reliance on imported energy, and better waste control, therefore considering all pillars of sustainability. Future research should focus on optimizing process efficiency and exploring the broader applicability of HTC to various biomass feedstocks, enhancing its role in the global pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.

Impacts of free nitrous acid on stabilizing food waste and sewage sludge for anaerobic digestion

This work investigated the effectiveness of free nitrous acid (FNA) in enhancing organic waste solubilization to improve biogas production in anaerobic digestion (AD). The results indicated that FNA pretreatment can enhance soluble organic content and control H2S odor in tested organic wastes, including food waste, sewage sludge, and their combination. However, a significant decrease (>50 %) in FNA concentration was found in the reactors, possibly due to denitrifier-driven NO2– consumption. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests showed a 25 ± 8 % enhancement in CH4 production in the reactors fed with mixed substrate pretreated with 2.9 mg FNA-N/L. However, the presence of NO2– (325.6–2368.0 mg N/L) in some BMP reactors, due to carryover from FNA pretreatment, adversely affected CH4 production (>55 %) and prolonged lag time (>4.2 times). These findings are valuable for researchers and practitioners in waste management, offering insights for implementing FNA pretreatment to enhance the biodegradability of organic wastes in AD.

The compostability of denim fabrics dyed with various indigos

Denim fabric samples representing current indigo dye sources and fabric structures were biodegraded in feedstock including food waste, manure, and animal bedding, which are typically composted at the Cornell Farm Services Composting Facility and processed under laboratory conditions for 77 days. Indigo types including dry denim, pre-reduced, and natural did not inhibit degradation as compared to undyed 100% cotton fabric. Additionally, fabrics tested as received from the mill and those tested post scouring degraded effectively. As expected, denim containing 24% polyester and 2% spandex retained overall fabric structure despite degradation of the cotton portion of the yarns.

Advances in Green Triboelectric Nanogenerators

AbstractTriboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), an emerging energy conversion technology, offers innovative pathways for energy harvesting and self‐powered sensing. To achieve superior performance, researchers commonly employ substantial quantities of original or treated polymers, resulting in high energy and precise sensing. Nevertheless, the sustainable development of TENGs faces significant challenges related to environmental compatibility, pollution hazards, and high production and disposal costs. To address this issue, numerous green materials for diverse TENGs are introduced and advanced. These materials may encompass natural resources, household waste, and recyclable materials, among others. Consequently, a review of the progress in TENGs based on green materials, which can be called green TENGs, becomes imperative to advance its sustainable development. To this end, this work comprehensively elucidates the development of green TENGs from the perspective of materials processing and treatment degree for the first time. Various green TENGs, including food waste, discarded daily‐use items, plant organs, biodegradable industrial products, and natural cellulose, are meticulously categorized. This review not only systematically synthesizes the latest research advancements in green TENGs, but also offers insight into their processing methodologies, working characteristics, and potential application scenarios. Finally, it envisions the challenges, proposed solutions, and future research directions for the development of green TENGs.

Enhancing Methane Yield in Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Primary Sewage Sludge: A Comprehensive Review on Potential Additives and Strategies

Traditionally, anaerobic digestion has been applied to mixed sludge, combining primary sludge (PS) with secondary sludge. However, recent research has unveiled the advantages of dedicated PS digestion due to its higher energy content. Anaerobic digestion (AD) of primary sewage sludge can offer a sustainable solution for managing sewage sludge while generating renewable energy. The present study provides a comprehensive examination of the current state of knowledge regarding the anaerobic digestion of PS. Co-digestion of PS with organic substrates, including food waste and agro-industrial residues, emerges as a promising approach to boost biogas production. Additionally, the utilization of additives such as glucose and clay minerals has shown potential in improving methane yield. Critical factors affecting AD, such as pretreatment methods, carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, temperature, pH, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) levels, organic loading rates (OLR), inoculum-to-substrate ratio (ISR), and the role of additives, have been meticulously studied. Finally, this review consolidates existing knowledge to advance our understanding of primary sewage sludge anaerobic digestion, fostering more efficient and sustainable practices in sludge management and renewable energy generation.

The Global Research Trends on Food Waste At Healthcare Setting: A Bibliometric Analysis Using Scopus Database

The issue of food waste has garnered much attention globally due to its adverse impacts on the economy, food security, natural resources, the environment, and human health. Despite this, the academic literature lacks systematic, historical, and synthesising investigations on healthcare food waste. This bibliometrics analysis study aims to summarise the growing trends of food waste publications and highlight common and potential research topics of food waste in healthcare settings. The Scopus database analysed 193 journal articles published between 1952 and 2022. We identified several common and potential research topics for future research in the area, including food waste and malnutrition, related intervention strategies, the impact of healthcare food service systems on food waste, and their economic and environmental impact. Healthcare food waste research in developing nations is still limited. Thus, it is recommended that policymakers support its development as one of the steps to encounter food waste.

Evidence of animal productivity outcomes when fed diets including food waste: A systematic review of global primary data

Enormous amounts of food waste are generated that could potentially be used for livestock feeding to support sustainable food production and reduce climate and resource burdens. Many studies have documented animal productivity parameters (growth, yield, feed use efficiency) when fed food waste, but their findings remain fragmented. Our objective is to synthesize results from these studies to uncover collective evidence on how animal productivity is affected. A systematic literature review identified 102 studies, which originated from 31 countries and encompassed all major food-producing animal species fed food waste of various types and rates. The field-based primary data were normalized to discern patterns and trends. Animals in 75–77 % of all cases performed as optimally or increased productivity compared to those fed control diet; the remaining 23–25 % had decreased performance. Meta-analysis of a subset of data indicated that pig growth did not differ between control and treatment diets of varying food waste rates. Ultimately, balancing major nutrients from all feed ingredients are key for maintaining optimal productivity while pursuing sustainability.

Monitoring longitudinal antimicrobial resistance trends of Staphylococcus aureus strains worldwide over the past 100 years to decipher its evolution and transmission

Staphylococcus aureus inhabits diverse habitats including food waste and wastewater treatment plants. Cases of S. aureus-induced infection are commonly reported worldwide. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of S. aureus is a growing public health threat worldwide. Here, we longitudinally monitored global trends in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) of 586 S. aureus strains, isolated between 1884 and 2022. The ARGs in S. aureus exhibited a significant increase over time (P < 0.0001). Mobile genetic elements play a crucial role in the transfer of ARGs in S. aureus strains. The structural equation model results revealed a significant correlation between the human development index and rising antibiotic consumption, which subsequently leads to an indirect escalation of AMR in S. aureus strains. Lastly, a machine learning algorithm successfully predicted the AMR risk of global terrestrial S. aureus with over 70% accuracy. Overall, these findings provided valuable insights for managing AMR in S. aureus.

Decomposition of individual components of bio-organic waste: volatile organic compounds and the impact on health and psycho-emotional state

The study considers the impact on the person’s health and psycho-emotional state of unpleasant odors arising from the storage and accumulation of bioorganic waste, including food waste (meat, poultry, fruits and vegetables) and bird droppings. The survey data of poultry and livestock farms’ employees in Serbia are given. The impact of unpleasant odors on the Waste sorting complex (Moscow region) employees’ vital signs is assessed. The impact of high-intensity odor groups for individual components of food waste (pork meat, poultry meat, vegetables and fruits) and bird droppings was studied by interviewing volunteers and measuring their vital signs.

Food waste anaerobic digestion plants: Underestimated air pollutants and control strategy

Food waste management is an important global issue, and anaerobic digestion (AD) is a sustainable technology for treating food waste and developing a circular economy. Odor and health problems in AD plants have drawn increasing public attention. Therefore, this study investigated the odor characteristics and health risks in different workshops of food waste AD plants. At each site, the treatment capacities for kitchen and restaurant waste were 200 and 200–250 tons per day, respectively. Among the detected odorants, ethanol was the dominant component in terms of concentrations, while methanethiol, propanethiol, H2S, and acetaldehyde were the major odor contributors in different workshops. The odor contribution of propanethiol had been previously overlooked in several workshops. The unloading, pretreatment, and bio-hydrolysis workshops were identified as major areas requiring odor control. Besides odor, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks commonly existed in food waste AD plants. The carcinogenic risk of acetaldehyde had been underestimated previously, and it was identified as the dominant carcinogen. Furthermore, benzene was a potential carcinogen. Non-carcinogenic risks were mainly caused by acetaldehyde, H2S, and ethyl acetate. The health risks were not always consistent with odor nuisance. Based on the odor and health risk assessments, several air pollution control strategies for food waste AD plants were proposed, including food waste source control, in-situ pollution control, and ex-situ pollution control.

The Effectiveness of Technology-Based Daily Food Recording in Increasing Children's Daily Intake: Literature Review

The technology-based daily recording of children's dietary is expected to be able to provide an easier overview of children nutritional status. So, it will reduce the number of nutritional imbalances in children. This research aimed to know determine the effectiveness of children's daily dietary recording with an application to estimate children's nutritional needs. The research method was used a literature review study. Result: From the results of the study, it was concluded that the use of food recording applications, either use photos or not, provide increased information on children's daily nutrition. The application allows an estimation of the food portion and nutrition of children's diet. It may become a benchmark for parents or health workers in providing children's diets. The dietary assessment application can be used both in the community and in hospitals to monitor children nutrition status. It is recommended that further research to include food waste in the calculation so that the daily energy estimate is more accurate.

Impact of Biomass Ratio as a Synthetic Parameter in Soft Computing Approaches for a Decision-Making Tool for Biogas Plants in Urban Areas

The EU’s energy transition strategy highlights the significance of developing innovative energy models to encourage the utilization of renewable energy sources in urban areas. Utilizing local urban biomasses, including food waste, sewage, and green waste, can contribute to the establishment of energy systems that harness bio-waste for energy generation, thereby promoting circular economy principles and urban metabolisms. This paper proposes using a pre-design tool (based on soft computing approaches) that incorporates an initial analysis of the multidisciplinary feasibility of such systems as an effective strategy and valuable support for preliminary studies. It focuses on validating three “biomass ratio” parameters, integrating urban morphology and district characteristics with the amount of bio-waste in a peri-urban district comprising multifamily buildings. These parameters can be incorporated into a pre-design tool that facilitates multi-criteria decision analyses, aiding the design of innovative models that promote renewable energy sources in urban areas. The findings suggest that synthetic parameters can guide initial considerations, but they may overestimate the energy potential and should be further investigated. Hence, future research should explore complementary strategies for estimating biomass energy potential and extend the application of this methodology to other types of districts.

Gasification characteristics and synergistic effects of typical organic solid wastes under CO2/steam atmospheres

Gasification technology is an effective way to achieve efficient, safe, and resourceful disposal of organic solid wastes (OSWs). Due to the complex sources and variable components of the OSWs, the co-disposal is highly essential. Various typical OSWs, including food waste (cooked rice, CR), agricultural waste (rice husk, RH; sugarcane bagasse, SB), and industrial waste (furfural residue, FR), were selected for this study. The gasification characteristics and synergistic performance were examined in terms of thermal weight loss characteristics under the CO2 atmosphere and gaseous product characteristics under the steam atmosphere. The synergistic indices of performance parameters were introduced to quantify the synergistic effects. The gasification activity of FR was remarkably higher than that of other OSWs. In the co-gasification with CR under the CO2 atmosphere, FR played an excellent positive synergistic effect, but the agricultural wastes played a slight or no synergistic effect. In the steam co-gasification, RH, SB, and FR all promoted the generation of syngas, in which FR showed still significant synergistic effects, with the synergistic indices of H2 yield, syngas yield, CCE, and CGE being 4–12 times higher than those of other blended wastes. The excellent performance of FR in (co–)gasification was mainly attributed to the acidic properties of FR, which was confirmed by comparing the (co–)gasification performance of FR with and without water-washing pretreatment. The work provides guidance for the co-disposal of OSWs in industrial applications.

Modelling oxygen-limited and self-sustained smoldering propagation: Thermochemical treatment of food waste in an inert porous medium

Smoldering treatment is emerging as a valuable engineering tool for many processes, including food waste treatment. However, smoldering systems are currently not well-understood nor optimized. Therefore, numerical models provide invaluable insight into the process dynamics, which improves our understanding and supports the development of novel systems. These smoldering models couple heat, mass, and momentum transfer with pyrolysis and oxidation chemical reactions within porous media. While recent models have untangled many aspects of these systems, local oxygen transport rates from bulk flow to the fuel surface are still not well-resolved. In this work, local oxygen-transport equation was approximated by an analytic derivation based on the gas–solid oxygen non-equilibrium hypothesis. With the improved oxygen-transport equation, a 2D model with five-step reaction scheme for smoldering propagation of food waste in sand was developed. Kinetic parameters obtained from TG experiments were incorporated into the bed-scale smoldering propagation model. The developed model was validated with experimental data that stretched from robust to weak smoldering propagation. It was demonstrated that the developed model matches well with experiments. Furthermore, this model revealed: (i) the emergence of non-uniform gas flow in the reactor, (ii) the evolution of the kinetic- and oxygen-transport-limiting regimes, and (iii) valuable insight into the fundamental changes with smoldering robustness.

Value Addition Employing Waste Bio-Materials in Environmental Remedies and Food Sector.

Overall, combating food waste necessitates a multifaceted approach that includes education, infrastructure, and policy change. By working together to implement these strategies, we can help reduce the negative impacts of food waste and create a more sustainable and equitable food system. The sustained supply of nutrient-rich agrifood commodities is seriously threatened by inefficiencies caused by agricultural losses, which must be addressed. As per the statistical data given by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, nearly 33.33% of the food that is produced for utilization is wasted and frittered away on a global level, which can be estimated as a loss of 1.3 billion metric tons per annum, which includes 30% cereals, 20% dairy products 35% seafood and fish, 45% fruits and vegetables, and 20% of meat. This review summarizes the various types of waste originating from various segments of the food industry, such as fruits and vegetables, dairy, marine, and brewery, also focusing on their potential for developing commercially available value-added products such as bioplastics, bio-fertilizers, food additives, antioxidants, antibiotics, biochar, organic acids, and enzymes. The paramount highlights include food waste valorization, which is a sustainable yet profitable alternative to waste management, and harnessing Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence technology to minimize food waste. Detail of sustainability and feasibility of food waste-derived metabolic chemical compounds, along with the market outlook and recycling of food wastes, have been elucidated in this review.