Evaluation of Kitchen Waste Recycling as Organic N-Fertiliser for Sustainable Agriculture under Cool and Warm Seasons

Abstract

Kitchen waste could be processed and recycled into safe fertilizers/soil improvers for sustainable agriculture through different methods: (1) Dried pellets from model kitchen waste treated with anaerobic effective microorganisms; and (2) Anaerobically digested kitchen waste. For comparison, a commercial mineral fertilizer was used. These methods were applied in two separate glasshouse experiments: one under cool (mainly winter) conditions (X–IV) and one under warm (mainly summer) conditions (VI–X) consisting of 3–4 subsequent harvests in northern Poland. Comparing the food waste agronomic performance after anaerobic digestion and effective microorganism treatments, especially under different climatic conditions, is a novel approach. Kitchen waste served as a much better fertilizer than mineral fertilizer, but only during the cool season. In addition, it provided 20–40% more plant yields for dosages >120 kg N/ha and a similar N uptake. In the warm season, in comparison to effective microorganism-incubated kitchen waste, its anaerobic digestion improved the relative agronomic effectiveness twice after 30 days of growth (82% versus 43%). However, the total effectiveness for anaerobically digested kitchen waste versus pelleted and effective microorganism-incubated kitchen waste was 32% versus 27% (N utilization-wise) and 36% versus 21% (plant biomass yield-wise). The Monod kinetic model was applied for the internal efficiency of N utilization; for the best fitting procedure, R2 > 0.96 for the cool season and R2 > 0.92 for the warm season. Kitchen waste introduced to the soil provided better soil properties than mineral fertilizer. The study contributes to the biological systems for waste recycling in agriculture, bioproduction processes, and the global food chain.

From kitchen scraps to delicacies to food waste

“…Overall, consumer food value appreciation and CO 2 generation reduction could be also improved via local food production including urban agriculture and school/university gardening, 74 application of organic food production principles 75 and using kitchen wastes (e.g., dried and anaerobically digested) as sustainable nitrogen fertilizer sources. 76 A consensus study report of the US National Academies of Sciences suggests various interventions to alter consumer behavior, including appealing to people's values, providing nancial incentives, and advising them about ways to reduce food waste. 77 Specic strategies given for the above interventions are smaller plates, reducing portion sizes in buffet settings, or providing information on environmental harm and costs of food waste.…”

The Impact of Food Waste Compost, Vermicompost, and Chemical Fertilizers on the Growth Measurement of Red Radish (Raphanus sativus): A Sustainability Perspective in the United Arab Emirates

“…Using FOWC and vermicompost is a sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to enhance agricultural productivity [ 18 , 19 ]. Instead of allowing food waste to contribute to environmental degradation and landfills, its conversion into nutrient-rich compost provides a valuable resource for augmenting soil fertility [ 18 ].…”

“…Instead of allowing food waste to contribute to environmental degradation and landfills, its conversion into nutrient-rich compost provides a valuable resource for augmenting soil fertility [ 18 ]. By transforming food waste into compost, scientists can decrease the impact of waste and establish a loop system that promotes the circular economy [ 19 ]. This innovative approach deals with waste management issues and agricultural productivity and fosters a more sustainable food production system [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…By transforming food waste into compost, scientists can decrease the impact of waste and establish a loop system that promotes the circular economy [ 19 ]. This innovative approach deals with waste management issues and agricultural productivity and fosters a more sustainable food production system [ 19 , 20 ]. These practices align with the global goal of promoting responsible and eco-friendly farming methods [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

“…This innovative approach deals with waste management issues and agricultural productivity and fosters a more sustainable food production system [ 19 , 20 ]. These practices align with the global goal of promoting responsible and eco-friendly farming methods [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”