Sustainable Management Methods Research Articles

Building Sustainable Community: Insight from successful waste management initiative

The global waste situation presents a significant challenge worldwide, especially in developing countries experiencing rapid economic development and urban growth. Waste separation for recycling is a recognized sustainable management method that overcomes budget limitations and the lack of advanced technology. However, promoting waste separation remains a challenging issue that requires learning from successful lessons to advance this agenda. This study examines a successful waste management initiative started by a community in response to a significant waste issue. It's a case study of a low-income community near Bangkok, Thailand. The study uses the theory of change to understand the community's success and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) to evaluate the sustainability of the waste management efforts. The study highlights how the community effectively addressed a significant waste problem that was negatively impacting water sources and causing pollution. The leadership of the community leader played a crucial role in implementing successful strategies, including developing diverse participation approaches to meet the needs of various community members. The community utilized the PDCA (Plan Do Check Act) cycle to drive progress, and the task force operated on a foundation of equality, fostering horizontal relationships, and distribute of incentives. The process of effecting change was described in line with the theory of change, resulting in a successful outcome. Ultimately, this study will offer valuable insights for low-income communities worldwide, empowering them to tackle waste issues and foster sustainability within their neighborhoods.

Advances in Concrete Demolition Technologies: A Review of Conventional and Emerging Methods for Sustainable Waste Management

Advances in Concrete Demolition Technologies: A Review of Conventional and Emerging Methods for Sustainable Waste Management

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Landfilling with Sustainable Waste Management Methods for Municipal Solid Wastes

Municipal solid waste (MSW) generation continues to increase exponentially, leading to the need for better disposal methods. Approximately 50% of the MSW is landfilled in the United States (US). Landfilling is known for its negative effects on the environment and human health. The objective of this study was to conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) of some of the most common waste treatment methods and propose an alternative and environmentally friendly integrated waste management method (IWM). The LCA was conducted using OpenLCA. Replacing landfilling, incineration, and composting with recycling, gasification, and anaerobic digestion (IWM) reduced the global warming potential from 899 kg CO2 eq to −14.6 kg CO2 eq. The same trend was observed for acidification (from 0.21 kg SO2 eq to −1.1 kg SO2 eq), ecotoxicity (from 2363.8 CTUe to 1.22 CTUe), eutrophication (from 0.5 kg N eq to 0.3 kg N eq), smog formation (from 4.4 kg O3 eq to 1.85 kg O3 eq), ozone depletion (from 2.1 × 10−5 kg CFC-11 eq to 0 kg CFC-11 eq), respiratory effects (from 2.8 × 10−3 kg PM2.5 eq to −7.25 × 10−3 kg PM2.5 eq), cancer (from 2 × 10−5 CTUh to 1.2 × 10−7 CTUh), and non-cancer effects (from 6 × 10−5 to 1.4 × 10−5 CTUh). The results show that an integrated waste management approach with recycling, gasification, and anaerobic digestion can dramatically reduce the environmental and health impacts of municipal solid waste disposal. Policy reforms, technical innovation, economic investment, and social engagement are needed to change waste management paradigm.

Potato and Maize Plant Disease Detection Using Leaf Images

Plant diseases represent a serious threat to national productivity and global food security. Effective therapy for multiple diseases requires a precise and useful differentiation of them. In this work, a computerized system for the identification and categorization of diseases in potato and maize crops is developed using convolutional neural networks. The demonstration was created with the ResNet50V2 model and tested on a combined collection of images of leaves. The system achieved an astounding accuracy of 85.19. Enhancing model execution through exchange learning, fine-tuning, and information augmentation were all part of the process. With the use of another dataset, the trained model was verified and produced positive results, almost exactly differentiating between the disease-causing leaf type (potato or maize). This technology helps ranchers adopt sustainable and knowledgeable disease management methods by promoting timely mediations, which in turn advances disease discovery.

Beneficial synergetic effect of feedstock characteristics and reaction conditions on bio crude production from hydrothermal liquefaction of mixed residential waste

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a promising method for sustainable waste management and renewable energy production, converting mixed feedstocks into bio-crude, a precursor to various biofuels. A study focused on mixed residential waste (MRW) as an HTL feedstock investigated temperature ranges (280–-360 °C) and residence times (30 min–90 min), achieving a maximum bio-crude yield of 39.16% at 340 °C and 75 min. Also, a thorough investigation of the synergistic relationships between all subcomponents of the MRW feedstock was conducted and concluded that the mixed waste (MW) feedstock samples containing a higher proportion of food and plastic wastes and MRW sample presented with a co-liquefaction percentage (CE) of around 60% and 107% respectively for production of bio crude. Also, solvents such as ethanol, glycerol and aqueous phase (AQ) were tested for their potential as hydrothermal mediums and found that bio crude yield of 46.19% was obtained in case of AQ phase recirculation. Further, the quantitative and qualitative effect of usage of four different catalysts were tested individually and in combination with AQ phase recirculation and found that, although individually nanoporous ZnO and diatomaceous earth (DE) yielded bio crude in the range of 46.86% and 42.68% respectively, when used in combination, DE cat–HTL with AQ resulted in maximum bio crude yield of 54.35%. Furthermore, qualitatively, the bio crude from DE cat–HTL with AQ presented with a high carbon and energy recovery percentage of 62.20% and 72.95% respectively and a high hydrocarbon content of 58.98%.

Analysis of the Use of Energy Storage in the Form of Concrete Slabs as a Method for Sustainable Energy Management in a System with Active Thermal Insulation and Solar Collectors

One effective approach to reducing the energy required for heating buildings is the use of active thermal insulation (ATI). This method involves delivering low-temperature heat to the exterior walls through a network of pipes carrying water. For ATI to be cost-effective, the energy supply must be affordable and is typically derived from geothermal or solar sources. Solar energy, in particular, requires thermal energy storage (TES) to manage the gap between summer and the heating season. A building that integrates various renewable energy systems and heating/cooling technologies should be managed efficiently and sustainably. The proper integration of these systems with smart management strategies can significantly lower a building’s carbon footprint and operational costs. This study analyzes the use of concrete slabs as a method for sustainable energy management in a system incorporating active thermal insulation and solar collectors. Using ambient temperature and solar radiation data specific to Cracow, Poland, the simulations evaluate the feasibility of employing a concrete slab positioned beneath the building as a thermal storage tank. The results reveal some drawbacks of using concrete slabs, including high temperatures that negatively affect system efficiency. Increased temperatures lead to higher heat losses, and during summer, inadequate insulation can cause additional heat leakage into the building. The findings suggest that water may be a more effective alternative for thermal energy storage.

Enhancing energy yield and reducing environmental impact through co-hydrothermal carbonization of undehydrated sewage sludge and fungus bran

This study presents a sustainable waste management method through co-hydrothermal carbonization (Co-HTC) of undehydrated sewage sludge (SS) and fungus bran (FB), effectively eliminating the need for additional water. The effects of the reaction severity factor (SF: 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3), the FB mixed ratio (FBMR: 0 %, 10 %, and 20 %), and the proportion of citric acid promoting agent (CAPA: 0 %, 10 %, and 20 %) on HTC performance were systematically investigated. The process was optimized for maximum energy yield (EY) using response surface methodology (RSM). The properties of the produced hydrochar, along with its EY and environmental impact, were thoroughly assessed. Results demonstrated that under optimal conditions (SF: 0.1, FBMR: 20 %, and CAPA: 20 %), EY increased by 45.84 % compared to hydrochar derived from dried SS. The dehydration and decarboxylation processes led to lower H/C and O/C ratios, producing hydrochar with reduced sulfur and nitrogen content, while the contents of alkali and alkaline earth metals, particularly calcium, increased. Furthermore, the optimized Co-HTC process had minimal environmental impact. In contrast to traditional HTC, which requires significant freshwater and involves high costs for SS drying, our innovative approach using undehydrated SS offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution, paving the way for industrial-scale Co-HTC and sustainable waste valorization.

A Study to Estimate the effect of Water Scarcity On the Morphological and Biochemical Parameter of the Plant

The importance of doing research on the effects of water scarcity on plant health and productivity cannot be overstated, particularly in light of the effects of climate change and the rising urgency of water scarcity. Calculating the ways in which water scarcity influences the morphological and biochemical features of plants is the objective of this research. Protein concentrations, antioxidant activity, and chlorophyll content are examples of biochemical parameters, while plant height, leaf area, and root length are examples of morphological criteria. Furthermore, the length of the roots is an example of a root. We were able to see significant changes in the morphological and biochemical properties of the plants by conducting experiments that were carefully controlled and administered with varying degrees of water availability. Water scarcity is a direct factor that affects plant growth, as seen by reduced plant height, reduced leaf area, and shorter root length. In terms of biochemistry, we saw a decrease in the contents of chlorophyll and protein, both of which are essential for the process of photosynthesis and for the overall health of plants. On the other side, antioxidant activity increased, which is indicative of a stress response mechanism that is being used to cope with the lack of water. The findings highlight the critical need of implementing sustainable water management methods in order to achieve the goal of preserving the resilience of plants and the productivity of agricultural production in the face of water scarcity. This research provides valuable insights into the physiological changes that plants go through when they are subjected to water stress. These findings have the potential to open up new routes for the creation of plant varieties that are resistant to drought.

Evaluation of selected crops for rearing predatory mite (Phytoseiulus persimilis), a predator of two-spotted red spider mites

The damage caused by two-spotted spider mites, and the risks associated with chemical pesticides, including health and environmental risks necessitate the exploration of sustainable pest management methods. Predatory mites, such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, are effective biocontrol agents against pests like the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the suitability of different crops for rearing predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) and assess their effectiveness in controlling two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). Linear regression analysis showed significant effects of selected crops on mite populations across all collection times (Collection 1: F (3, 8) = 22.46, p = 0.0003; Collection 2: F (3, 8) = 11.45, p = 0.0029; and Collection 3: F (3, 8) = 9.17, p = 0.0057). ANOVA showed significant differences in mite counts among the crops (F (3, 32) = 18.06, p < 0.001), corroborated by bootstrapping analysis. Beans demonstrated the highest potential for supporting predatory mite populations, followed by eggplant and black nightshade, illustrating that crop diversification can enhance predatory mite production while suggesting adoption of Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to reduce pesticide costs and environmental impacts. There is the need for collaborative research and policy support to drive innovation and promote sustainable pest management practices in agriculture, thus addressing pesticide-use related environmental issues.

Obtaining high H2-rich syngas yield and carbon conversion efficiency from biomass gasification: From characterization to process optimization using machine learning with experimental validation

Gasification, among the other thermochemical processes, stands as a promising method for sustainable waste management while generating valuable H2-rich syngas. In the last few years, there has been a significant surge in the adoption of machine learning (ML) techniques for modelling biomass as well as gasification and pyrolysis of waste. The present study unveiled the supremacy of Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) algorithm as compared to other ML models, in predicting syngas yield [Ysyn (Nm3/kg of biomass)] and carbon conversion efficiency[ηCarbon(%)] respectively, with a high prediction accuracy of R2 > 0.9 in both the cases. The necessary datasets were collected from experimental trials, at reaction conditions of temperature (T): 550–1000 °C, air flow rate (AFR): 0.02–0.04 L/min, and reaction time of 2 h, in a two-stage fixed bed reactor, which were identified on the Basis of thermodynamic as well as stoichiometric analysis. Additionally, the models were employed in Bayesian optimization within a weighted multi-objective framework to obtain the optimal operational parameters, focusing on maximizing both yield and conversion simultaneously. Finally, this result was validated experimentally to check the sanctity of the data-driven optimization.

Fish diversity, assemblage pattern along with the environmental variables in tidal fresh water stretch in the Hooghly estuary of Gangetic delta, West Bengal, India

The greatest estuary created by the Gangetic delta in India is the Hooghly estuary. Despite their importance to the estuarine biodiversity, the tidal freshwater areas of this estuary have gained little interest from ecologists. Present study aims to explore the fish diversity with its assemblage pattern and their relationship with physico-chemical parameters from June 2020 to May 2021. There have been identified 118 fish species in total, from 14 orders and 47 families, with seven (7) being near threatened, fifteen (15) vulnerable, four (4) endangered, and eight (8) not evaluated. Perciformes (29.66 %), Cypriniformes (22.88 %), and Siluriformes (21.18 %) accounted for 73.72 % of the overall species count. Station-1 has significantly higher species richness, rarefied richness, and abundance. Station-3 and station-2 followed station-1 respectively. The composition of fish species changed significantly among the stations, as shown by cluster analysis, nMDS (nonmetric multidimensional scaling), ANOSIM (analysis of similarities), and SIMPER (similarity percentage analysis) (p <0.05). The canonical correspondence analysis revealed that alkalinity, conductivity, phosphate, and total carbon dioxide of the water were the key environmental parameters. In addition to defining a sustainable management method for the fish resources in the Hooghly estuary, this effort will act as a baseline study for further investigation.

The Growth Performance and Nutrient Composition of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Fed Slaughtered Bovine Blood.

The disposal of slaughterhouse blood poses significant environmental challenges due to its biological instability and high nutrient content. We used a gradient of 10% blood increments (0-100%) to feed BSFL, and the correlation between the proportion of bovine blood and the BSFL weight gain, mortality rate, fatty acid content, and amino acid content was researched. Results indicate a positive correlation between the bovine blood content and BSFL mortality, with survival rates above 95% for blood proportions below 60%. Larval weight exhibited a negative correlation as the bovine blood content increased. Nutritional analysis revealed that the crude protein content in BSFL increased proportionally with bovine blood (14.75-25.45 g/100 g), while the crude fat content decreased correspondingly (10.70-4.66 g/100 g). The sugar content remained relatively constant across groups. Fatty acid analysis showed increased levels of C16:0, C14:0, and C16:1 and decreased levels of C18:1, C18:2, and C18:3 with higher bovine blood contents. The amino acid content generally increased with higher blood proportions. This study highlights the bioconversion potential of BSFL for bovine blood and underscores the impact of protein, lipid, and sugar concentrations in feed on BSFL growth. These findings provide valuable insights for utilizing slaughterhouse waste in BSFL rearing, contributing to the development of more sustainable waste management and animal feed production methods.

Assessment of ecotourism potentiality based on GIS-based fuzzy logarithm methodology of additive weights (F-LMAW) method for sustainable natural resource management

Assessment of ecotourism potentiality based on GIS-based fuzzy logarithm methodology of additive weights (F-LMAW) method for sustainable natural resource management

A Multi-Criteria Framework for Assessing the Sustainable E-Waste Management Methods with Complex Fuzzy Environment

Due to the substantial economic and environmental repercussions of improper E-waste management and treatment, the issue has gained indispensable attention. In recent years, the research has been done about the selection of proper E-waste management methods like site selection, disposal method selection, etc. with fuzzy environments. But in real situations, the major reasons for improper e-waste management are lack of awareness and improper disposal with sustainability. In finding a sustainable awareness-creating program and disposal method for E-waste, the uncertainty and its sustainability of the information make challenges to decision makers, so the problem becomes a two-dimensional problem with uncertainty. This paper uses complex fuzzy terms to illustrate this two-dimensional uncertain information, in which amplitude term represents the uncertainty about alternative and phase term represents the uncertainty about the sustainability of an alternative. First, we present a new framework MULTIMOORA under complex fuzzy structure. Then, in order to solve two-dimensional uncertain information about E-waste, the proposed complex fuzzy-MULTIMOORA method is applied, in which E-waste awareness-creating program and treatment technology selection are done. The sensitivity and comparative analysis are further delivered to validate the effectiveness of the proposed technique.

Effects of harvesting techniques and intensities on productivity of Oxytenanthera abyssinica in Pawe district, North-western Ethiopia

Bamboos are naturally fast-growing species in tropical and non-tropical regions, with some species growing more than 1 m per day. Oxytenanthera abyssinica is an important bamboo species that could help meet current and future needs worldwide. This study was designed to assess the effects of harvesting techniques and intensities on sustainable utilization of O. abyssinica. Clumps that had a similar number culms were used to conduct the experiment. A factorial experiment with two harvesting techniques (X-shape and Horse-shoe shape) and five levels of harvesting intensities (25, 50, 75, 100 and 0 % harvesting of mature culms) was conducted for five successive years in the dry season. Sprouted and dead shoots, recruited culms, and mean culm diameter at breast height were recorded. Data were analysed using two-way-ANOVA. Culm/shoot sprouting had significantly different values with harvesting techniques; the X-shape harvesting technique produced a higher number culms than horse-shoe harvesting technique. Interaction effects between harvesting techniques and harvesting intensities on shoot sprouting, culm recruitment and shoot abortion were not observed. Both harvesting techniques and intensities had a significant effect on mean culm diameter; i.e., 25 % and 75 % of the mature culms harvested under the X-shape and horse-shoe harvesting techniques, respectively, produced thicker bamboo culms than the unharvested clump (control). Culm recruitment decreased in the second year, and then increased in the third year, subsequently showed a decreasing trend for all treatments. This may have been related to repeated culm harvesting. The population structure has also varied with harvesting technique and intensity. To utilize this species sustainably, the species may need a specific cutting cycle. This study suggests the need for further study through incorporating cutting cycles with different levels of harvesting intensity to develop a sustainable management method.

Bioremediation of complex contaminated Yamuna River India by using selected cyanobacteria

River Yamuna serves as a major lifeline in Delhi and the people living along its banks rely on it for their livelihoods. However, it faces severe contamination due to anthropogenic activities, such as industrial and domestic waste discharge through various drains. Bioremediation emerges as a promising approach to mitigate such contamination, offering environmentally friendly solutions. This study focuses on the remediation potential of Nostoc, Anabaena, Phormidium, and Oscillatoria, which represent a better solution than traditional wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). BOD (120 ± 4.31 mg/L) and COD (241 ± 5.6 mg/L) were found in water samples collected from the Najafgarh drain at Wazirabad and BOD (90 ± 3.56 mg/L) and COD (180 ± 5.1 mg/L) were recorded in a water sample collected from the Wazirabad wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Phycoremediation analysis shows that Oscillatoria removes 72.4 ± 4.11% of BOD and 63.90 ± 3.67% of COD, while Nostoc removes 59 ± 5.1% of BOD and 68.46 ± 3.87% of COD. In comparison, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) only removes 25 ± 3.12% of BOD and 25.13 ± 2.92% of COD. The biosorption activity showed that Nostoc absorbed a maximum of 3.07 µg/ml (30.7 ± 2.13%) of chromium (Cr (VI)), followed by Phormidium at 2.27 µg/ml (22.7 ± 1.9%) only 3 days of incubation. This is the first study to examine how selected cyanobacteria can reduce pollution in the Yamuna River by treating both drain and treated water. The results show cyanobacteria are better at removing chromium and other pollutants than conventional WWTPs. This highlights the need to combine biological solutions with traditional methods for sustainable river restoration and effective environmental management.

A Comparison of the Frequency and Intensity of Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI) during the Meteorological Drought across Harohar-Punpun Basin (India)

The term "drought" applies to a prolonged period when there is a water shortage because of insufficient precipitation, an excessive rate of evaporation, and excessive use of water from reservoirs and other storage, including ground water. It is a slow-onset phenomenon that can have significant social, economic, and environmental impacts. Both the frequency and severity of droughts are increasing globally due to manmade and natural factors. This study looked at how well SPIs (3, 6, 12-month time scales) and RAI (Rainfall Anomaly Index) performed at identifying drought occurrences over a period of 70 years (1951 to 2021) in India's Agro-Ecological Zones. The RAI and SPI values were computed using rainfall data from 9 meteorological stations located throughout the Harohar- Punpun Basin. According to the results, the RAI is more capable than SPIs in detecting historical records of actual occurrences. Additionally, RAI is more effective than SPIs for determining both short- and long-term droughts. Since RAI can better capture the true nature of the drought situation in the Harohar-Punpun Basin, it appears to be more responsive to drought circumstances. The primary causes of drought, according to the study, include minor variations in precipitation, willful ground water removal, changing cropping patterns, and substantial changes in land use. Regional planners and administrators will surely find use for this scientific study and integrated watershed management methods for sustainable water resource management, particularly for this region.

2D and 3D visualization of herbaceous plant–plant contact zones using high‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography (HRXCT)

Societal Impact StatementParasitic plants that deprive crops of water and nutrients are an increasingly concerning food security issue, affecting the livelihood of millions of subsistence, small‐ and mid‐scale farmers. An in‐depth understanding of parasite–host interactions is required to develop species‐specific and ecologically sustainable parasite management methods. The non‐invasive visualization of herbaceous contact zones, applicable to diverse parasite–host pathosystems presented in this study, brings methodological advance to the research of biotic interactions between crops and plant parasites belonging to the most devastating parasitic plant family (Orobanchaceae). This work also provides first insights into how the parasites' feeding organ displaces host tissue beyond the direct parasite–host interface.SummaryHigh‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography (HRXCT) enables sectioning‐free two‐dimensional imaging of biological structures and reconstruction of three‐dimensional objects. Although its application is common in many areas of biomedicine and despite its flexibility regarding resolution levels, the technology remains underutilized in the plant sciences. Here, we explored HRXCT for the study of parasitic plant–plant interactions by developing protocols to access soft‐tissue host–parasite contact zones at cell‐level resolution. We tested various sample preparation methods and contrast stains for their efficiency to improve the imaging of haustorium samples. In doing so, we achieved cellular resolution with the visible cellular organization of haustorial structures, especially of the vascular system. Fresh stained and dehydrated sample preparation of soft haustoria enables the highest spatial resolution with fine‐cellular discrimination of haustorium versus host cells. Application of cell‐level resolved HRXCT to five pathosystems: Alectra‐cowpea, Phelipanche‐tomato, Phtheirospermum‐tomato, Rhamphicarpa‐tomato, and Striga‐sorghum highlighted a life history‐specific organization and uncovered an as yet undescribed internal displacement of host tissue at parasite–host interfaces. Following image‐based training, our HRXCT approach could invoke AI‐based cell recognition for automated parasite cell–host cell differentiation. Superseding extensive microsectioning for 3D imaging, the newly established HRXCT protocol for 2D‐ and 3D‐visualization of herbaceous plant–plant contact zones and the first insights gained from it, is useful for mid‐throughput, comparative studies of parasitic plant–host interactions.

Sustainable management of water resources in arid areas

Water is an essential resource for human survival, production and socio-economic development, essential for all forms of life, and essential for the maintenance of healthy ecosystems. Due to the continuous change of climate and the continuous growth of population, economy, region and other factors, water resources are becoming more and more scarce. In arid and semi-arid regions, the coupling and interaction between water resources security, energy security, food security and ecological security are becoming more complex, conflicts and contradictions are gradually emerging or intensifying, and uncertainty and risk levels are increasing. Water utilization and management methods are also becoming increasingly serious and complex, which requires new and innovative approaches to conserve and use water wisely. The sustainable management of water resources has always been the focus of research on water resources in the world, and there is much research on water resources management in major forums. This paper uses the method of review to analyze the relevant articles on water resources management, and puts forward more effective methods for sustainable water resources management, and provides suggestions for follow-up research on sustainable water resources management.

Lactate-mediated medium-chain fatty acid production from expired dairy and beverage waste

Fruits, vegetables, and dairy products are typically the primary sources of household food waste. Currently, anaerobic digestion is the most used bioprocess for the treatment of food waste with concomitant generation of biogas. However, to achieve a circular carbon economy, the organics in food waste should be converted to new chemicals with higher value than energy. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of medium-chain carboxylic acid (MCCA) production from expired dairy and beverage waste via a chain elongation platform mediated by lactate. In a two-stage fermentation process, the first stage with optimized operational conditions, including varying temperatures and organic loading rates, transformed expired dairy and beverage waste into lactate at a concentration higher than 900 mM C at 43 °C. This lactate was then used to produce >500 mM C caproate and >300 mM C butyrate via microbial chain elongation. Predominantly, lactate-producing microbes such as Lactobacillus and Lacticaseibacillus were regulated by temperature and could be highly enriched under mesophilic conditions in the first-stage reactor. In the second-stage chain elongation reactor, the dominating microbes were primarily from the genera Megasphaera and Caproiciproducens, shaped by varying feed and inoculum sources. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed positive correlations among species from the genera Caproiciproducens, Ruminococcus, and CAG-352, as well as Megasphaera, Bacteroides, and Solobacterium, indicating strong microbial interactions that enhance caproate production. These findings suggest that producing MCCAs from expired dairy and beverage waste via lactate-mediated chain elongation is a viable method for sustainable waste management and could serve as a chemical production platform in the context of building a circular bioeconomy.