Multi-criteria decision analysis of agri-food waste as a feedstock for biopolymer production

I. Bolaji*, B. Nejad, M. Billham, N. Mehta, B. Smyth, E. Cunningham

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)
347 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The use of renewable resources is becoming increasingly important if we are to address the negative impacts of petroleum-based polymers. Utilising renewable resources, such as agri-food wastes (AFWs), for biopolymer production offers the advantages of lower dependence on fossil fuels, resource recovery (generating added value), and waste management. AFWs are generated as by-products or residues at every stage of the food supply chain: harvest, processing, and post-consumption. AFWs are a significant societal challenge but their full potential as renewable resources remain unexploited. Hence, this study aimed to identify feedstocks that can provide a continuous supply of raw materials for the manufacture of biopolymers. Harvest and process wastes from major crops were assessed using information from published reports and government departments over the period 2013-2017. The analysis was based on criteria focusing on the availability, characteristics, and market value of the identified AFWs. The analysis was conducted for the crops: wheat, barley, oats, rapeseed, sugar beet, carrots, and onions. Total AFW production in the UK over the reference period was estimated at 15 Mt dry matter/yr, to which wheat is the major contributor (≈7 Mt). The results show that harvest residues, e.g., straw, have medium to high theoretical availability and competing uses, whereas processing residues, e.g., onion peels, have low theoretical availability and cost but are well suited for biopolymer production. These findings provide valuable information about resources that will enable potential investors to conduct studies to accurately assess the practicality of valorising AFWs into biopolymers.

Original languageEnglish
Article number105671
JournalResources, Conservation and Recycling
Volume172
Early online date26 May 2021
DOIs
Publication statusEarly online date - 26 May 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This activity has received funding from EIT Food, the innovation community on Food of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the EU, under the Horizon 2020 , the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021

Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Biomass
  • Biopolymer
  • Feedstock
  • Multi-criteria analysis
  • Waste

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Economics and Econometrics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Multi-criteria decision analysis of agri-food waste as a feedstock for biopolymer production'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this