Valorization of food waste into biofertiliser and its field application. (20th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Du, Chenyu; Abdullah, Jwan J.; Greetham, Darren; Fu, Danni; Yu, Mengyuan; Ren, Liwei; Li, Shuang; Lu, Diannan
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 187(2018)
• Page Start: 273
• Page End: 284
• Publication Date: 2018-06-20
• Subjects: Biofertiliser (biofertilizer) -- Digestate -- Wasted food -- Food processing waste -- Agriculture residue; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.211
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Worldwide significant amounts of food waste are generated daily causing serious environmental issues, occupying land and requiring expenditure of resources for its treatment. A smart method for handling this food waste problem is the development of novel processes targeting the conversion of this waste into value added products. Although valorization of food waste to biofuels, biochemicals and bio-polymers have been widely investigated, the utilization of food waste streams into biofertiliser has not been intensively reviewed. Conversion of food waste, especially agriculture residues into biofertiliser would reduce its environmental impact, improve nutrition levels of the soil, decrease requirements for synthetic chemical fertiliser and have a direct benefit on food production. This paper reviews recent progress in the field regarding the production of biofertiliser from food waste, using anaerobic digestion, aerobic composting, chemical hydrolysis, in situ degradation and direct burning methods. This review also highlights the latest field applications of biofertiliser derived from various food waste streams. It confirms that the technology for the conversion of food waste to biofertilisers is viable, but the production efficiency could be improved with better process control strategies, strict quality controls, development of a smart product distribution system and adoption of advanced technologies. Field tests have indicated that biofertilisers which are obtained in proper managed AD plants are safe and could partially replace the use of chemical fertilisers in field application. Highlights: Valorization of food waste into biofertiliser is reviewed. It covers waste food, food processing waste and agriculture residues. AD, composting & in-situ degradation are viable processes for biofertiliser synthesis. Field tests demonstrated biofertiliser could replace partially chemical fertiliser.