An Overview of Agro-Waste Management in Light of the Water-Energy-Waste Nexus

Hassan El-Ramady (), Eric C. Brevik (), Yousry Bayoumi, Tarek A. Shalaby, Mohammed E. El-Mahrouk, Naglaa Taha, Heba Elbasiouny, Fathy Elbehiry, Megahed Amer, Neama Abdalla, József Prokisch, Svein Ø. Solberg and Wanting Ling
Additional contact information
Hassan El-Ramady: Soil and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
Eric C. Brevik: College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
Yousry Bayoumi: Physiology & Breeding of Horticultural Crops Laboratory, Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
Tarek A. Shalaby: Physiology & Breeding of Horticultural Crops Laboratory, Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
Mohammed E. El-Mahrouk: Physiology & Breeding of Horticultural Crops Laboratory, Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
Naglaa Taha: Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza 12619, Egypt
Heba Elbasiouny: Environmental and Biological Sciences Dept., Home Economics Faculty, Al-Azhar University, Tanta 31732, Egypt
Fathy Elbehiry: Department of Basic and Applied Sciences, Higher Institute for Agricultural Cooperation, Cairo 11241, Egypt
Megahed Amer: Soil Improvement and Conservation Dept., Water and Environment Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza 12619, Egypt
Neama Abdalla: Plant Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
József Prokisch: Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi Street, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Svein Ø. Solberg: Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2418 Elverum, Norway
Wanting Ling: Institute of Organic Contaminant Control and Soil Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-30

Abstract: It is urgent that we increase global food production to support population growth. Food production requires significant resources, amongst them water and energy. Therefore, any losses of food or other agricultural products also means a waste of water and energy resources. A significant amount of these losses occurs during the postharvest stage, primarily during processing and storage. This is considered avoidable food waste. The water-energy-waste nexus (WEW), and its relationship to food production, needs to be investigated from a circular bioeconomy lens. Furthermore, alternative uses of the wastes should be investigated. This review focuses on agro-wastes and their management as sources for bioactive compounds, biofertilizers, biomaterials, nanomaterials, pharmaceuticals and medicinal agents, and growth media, e.g., for plant tissue culture. We also investigated the potential contribution of agro-wastes to bioenergy production (bioethanol, biogas, and biofuel). Proper management of agro-wastes may support the mitigation of climate change, produce innovative bio-ingredients and biodegradable materials, and enhance green growth and a circular bioeconomy. We argue that the management of agro-wastes cannot be discussed without referring to the role of water and energy within the food system. Thus, this review focuses on agricultural wastes and their handling, applications, environmental impacts, and potential benefits in the agricultural and medical industries in light of the WEW nexus.

Keywords: agroecology; bioenergy; biorefinery; compost; food security; food waste; nano-management; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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