Toward a Circular Bioeconomy within Food Waste Valorization: A Case Study of an On-Site Composting System of Restaurant Organic Waste

Abstract

In the present and projected context of an increasing worldwide demand for food, the intensification of climate change effects on agriculture, and the depletion and degradation of natural resources, global actions must be taken to assure future food security for all people. Improper practices along the food supply chain, from primary production to consumption, generate huge quantities of food waste. Building a circular bioeconomy that feeds recycled materials back into the economy and minimizes the loss of resources will be an important step in introducing the world’s food system to a sustainable path. The present case study describes an enclosed on-site composting system for food waste, operated in real-life conditions. The composting equipment was installed for a restaurant with specific needs in November 2020, located near a shopping center in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania. The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the compost came from a mix of food waste from a retail restaurant and sawdust pellets used as absorbent material, and these were analyzed to monitor compost quality and establish valorization opportunities. Two different monitoring campaigns were developed and the biological parameters were analyzed. The second monitoring campaign indicated that the compost was contaminated with Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. When handled correctly and according to instructions, the composting process eliminates pathogens that may be present in food waste, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., etc., resulting in a high-quality compost that can be valorized in agriculture such as fertilizer or soil improver. Our results demonstrated that even when maintaining the same composition of raw materials in the composter, the quality and properties of the compost are greatly influenced by its operating conditions. Quality management procedures must be enforced and procedures must be strictly followed for the compost to be considered compliant. Compost that does not meet the requirements according to the regulation in force is again subjected to composting. If, after repeating the operation, the compost is still noncompliant, it is declared nonrecyclable waste, and must follow the specific procedure for such waste.

Can unexploited biomass of Ficus carica L. be valorized as a bio‐based material for the development of functional food formulations?

“…5 Fruit waste can be efficiently minimized in mass and the ingredients of the collected organic waste can be circulated in the frame of circular bioeconomy. 6 In this context, a zero-waste approach is recommended for the holistic valorization of fruits. Bioactive fruit components can find useful application in various industries dealing with the development of edible films, probiotics, and valuable food products.…”

“…Food waste biomass is known to be a resource for high‐value chemicals 5 . Fruit waste can be efficiently minimized in mass and the ingredients of the collected organic waste can be circulated in the frame of circular bioeconomy 6 . In this context, a zero‐waste approach is recommended for the holistic valorization of fruits.…”

Uma análise da gestão da cadeia de suprimentos de fertilizantes na agricultura brasileira de soja

“…Essas medidas de sustentabilidade podem incluir a redução do uso de recursos naturais, a minimização de resíduos e emissões, a adoção de práticas de produção mais limpas e eficientes, bem como o cumprimento de padrões específicos relacionados a gestão ambiental e responsabilidade social corporativa (DARNALL;JOLLEY;HANDFIELD, 2008;SHOKOUHIFAR et al, 2023;QU et al, 2022;FURUMO et al, 2020;BENSON;MOGUES, 2018;ANDERSON;MONJARDINO, 2019). Rudnicka (2017) SARANROM et al, 2022;COPPENS et al, 2016;SHARPLEY et al, 2018;GONG et al, 2022c;WARNER et al, 2023 MIRZAMOHAMMADI et al, 2020;INGRAO et al, 2018;HU et al, 2020;PELTON, 2019;USVA et al, 2020;RANA et al, 2019;EAGLE et al, 2020;CHEN;WANG;LIU, 2022;FEODOROV et al, 2022;GONG et al, 2022a;MANGMEECHAI, 2017;VINCO et al, 2023;QUINTERO-HERRERA et al, 2022;HU;SUN;ZHENG, 2021;TAMAGNO et al, 2021;FIROUZEH et al, 2021, NASEER et al, 2019.…”

“…A gestão e reuso de resíduos minimizam os impactos ambientais e contribuem para produção de fertilizantes orgânicos, servindo de opção alternativa ao uso de fertilizantes químicos, reduzindo a exploração de recursos naturais (FEODOROV et al, 2022;PHILIP;MARATHE, 2022;TOMAR;SHARMA;NEHRA, 2023;RAY;SINGH;JAKHAR, 2023;SAZVAR;RAHMANI;GOVINDAN, 2018;NASEER et al, 2019).…”

“…Investimentos, incentivos, segurança, proteção ambiental, desenvolvimento (Feodorov et al, 2022;Philip e Marathe, 2022;Tomar, Sharma e Nehra, 2023;Ray, Singh e Jakhar, 2023;Sazvar, Rahmani e Govindan, 2018;Naseer et al, 2019;Reefke et al, 2014;Rudnicka, 2017;Renella, 2021;Benson e Mogues, 2018;Chen, Wang e Liu, 2022;Vinco et al, 2023) Regulamentações e políticas públicas "A integração com cadeias globais pode gerar parcerias para garantir o abastecimento de fertilizantes e o desenvolvimento de produtos mais adequados a culturas e solos brasileiros" (Entrevistado 2). "A escassez de potássio, baixa produção de nitrogênio e qualidade inferior do fosfatado aumenta nossa dependência por fertilizantes importados.…”