Assessment of Tomato Peels Suitable for Producing Biomethane within the Context of Circular Economy: A GIS-Based Model Analysis

Roberta Selvaggi, Francesca Valenti, Biagio Pecorino and Simona M. C. Porto
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Roberta Selvaggi: Department of Agricultural, Food and Environment (Di3A), Agricultural and Food Economics Section, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia n. 98-100, 95123 Catania, Italy
Francesca Valenti: Department of Agricultural, Food and Environment (Di3A), Building and Land Engineering Section, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia n. 98-100, 95123 Catania, Italy
Biagio Pecorino: Department of Agricultural, Food and Environment (Di3A), Agricultural and Food Economics Section, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia n. 98-100, 95123 Catania, Italy
Simona M. C. Porto: Department of Agricultural, Food and Environment (Di3A), Building and Land Engineering Section, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia n. 98-100, 95123 Catania, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-14

Abstract: Biomass is seen as one of the most dominant future renewable energy sources. In detail, agro-industrial by-products represent a cheap, renewable, and abundant feedstock useful for several new products, including biochemical, biomaterials, and above all biogas, which are taking on an ever-increasing role in Italy. In this context, the tomato chain was analysed aiming at estimating the amount of processed tomato and the related waste production as a new suitable resource for producing biofuel as a new frontier within the context of a circular economy. Due the importance of the tomato industry, this research aims at filling gaps in the knowledge of the production and yield of the by-products that are useful as biomass for energy use in those territorial areas where the biomethane sector is still developing. This aim could be relevant for planning the sustainable development of the biomethane sector by reducing both soil consumption for dedicated energy crops and GHG emissions coming from the biomass logistic supply. The achieved results show the localization of territorial areas highly characterized by this kind of biomass. Therefore, it would be desirable that the future policies of development in the biomethane sector consider the availability and the distribution of these suitable biomasses within the territory.

Keywords: tomato peels; biomethane; GIS; circular economy; bioresource policy; territorial analysis; agro-industrial by-products (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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