Circular Economy Approach for Utilizing Organic Waste in Cat Litter and Compost to Support Plant Growth

Pin-Han Chen and Jun-Yi Wu ()
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Pin-Han Chen: College of Science, Providence University, Taichung City 43301, Taiwan
Jun-Yi Wu: Department of Intelligent Automation Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung City 411030, Taiwan

Waste, 2025, vol. 3, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: This study introduces a novel two-stage circular economy model to transform organic waste materials—bean dregs and coffee grounds—into functional products: eco-friendly cat litter and organic fertilizer. The hypothesis was that integrating vermicompost and diatomaceous earth with these waste materials would enhance the functional properties of cat litter while ensuring its recyclability into high-quality fertilizer. In the first stage, a combination of bean dregs, coffee grounds, vermicompost, and diatomaceous earth was optimized using the Taguchi method, achieving cat litter with superior water absorption and clumping performance. In the second stage, the spent cat litter was rapidly composted, producing a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer. The fertilizer’s efficacy was validated through a potting experiment with lettuce, where a 10% application rate promoted optimal growth without causing nutrient toxicity. This innovative approach offers a sustainable solution to waste management challenges while contributing to environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Future research could investigate incorporating additional waste streams and enhancing composting efficiency for broader implementation.

Keywords: agriculture sustainability; cat litter recycling; circular economy; composting efficiency; organic waste transformation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q16 Q18 Q2 Q20 Q23 Q24 Q25 Q28 Q3 Q31 Q38 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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