Sustainability

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 1271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Driving Mechanism of Farmers’ Utilization Behaviors of Straw Resources—An Empirical Study in Jilin Province, the Main Grain Producing Region in the Northeast Part of China

by Hongpeng Guo, Shuang Xu, Xiaotong Wang, Wen Shu, Jia Chen, Chulin Pan and Cheng Guo

Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2506; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052506 - 26 Feb 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3209

Abstract

In recent years, the unsustainable behaviors of straw utilization have led to waste straw being one of the sources of agricultural non-point source pollution. Studying the resource utilization of crop straw is conducive to expediate the development of ecological and green agriculture. More [...] Read more.

In recent years, the unsustainable behaviors of straw utilization have led to waste straw being one of the sources of agricultural non-point source pollution. Studying the resource utilization of crop straw is conducive to expediate the development of ecological and green agriculture. More importantly, it has long-term significance for the recycling of agricultural waste, improving the quality of rural life, and the employment of farmers. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), taking the representative survey questionnaire of farmers in Jilin Province, China as the sample, the structural equation model (SEM) was constructed to study the main factors that drive the utilization behaviors of straw resources of farmers and to explore the driving mechanism of the farmers behaviors in Jilin Province. The results show that the behavioral attitude and subjective norms of farmers in Jilin Province not only indirectly affect their actual behaviors through behavioral willingness, but also has significant direct effects on their behaviors. The most critical factors that affect the willingness of farmers to utilize the straw resources in Jilin Province are subjective norms and moral responsibilities. The subjective norms of farmers have a direct and significant positive impact on their willingness and behaviors. Behavioral attitude and perceived behavior control have a significant positive impact on their willingness. The behavioral willingness has a significant positive impact on their actual behaviors. This study provides guidance for the utilization of straw resources policy implications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Valorising Waste from the Agri-food Sector for Sustainability)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 969 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Waste Management with Technological Platforms: Evidence from Indian Food Supply Chains

by Youthika Chauhan

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8162; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198162 - 02 Oct 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 7024

Abstract

Feeding the people sustainably continues to be a challenge in the present times. Enormous amounts of food wastage aggravate this problem. In developing countries, food wastage primarily occurs within the supply chain. Lack of technological infrastructure in these countries causes significant post-harvest loss. [...] Read more.

Feeding the people sustainably continues to be a challenge in the present times. Enormous amounts of food wastage aggravate this problem. In developing countries, food wastage primarily occurs within the supply chain. Lack of technological infrastructure in these countries causes significant post-harvest loss. While research shows that developments in food supply chains can reduce food wastage, no systematic research has been done so far to show the possible relationship between the use of technology and food loss. This paper attempts to address this gap by studying the supply chains of different food processing organizations in India to assess the role of technological platforms in reducing food wastage in supply chains. Using a qualitative inductive methodology, the author identified the technological platforms that can address food wastage. Then, using multiple case-study analysis, the supply chains of sample firms were evaluated. The author assessed the food loss in these supply chains through comparative analysis to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of selected technological platforms. This study provides managers in the food industry with insights to prevent food loss, as well as some policy implications for developing economies. Overall, this paper throws light on the issue of food wastage and the possible means for its prevention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Valorising Waste from the Agri-food Sector for Sustainability)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 1083 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Nitrogen Removal Technology Pre-Treating Chicken Manure, Prior to Anaerobic Digestion

by Marie E. Kirby, Muhammad W. Mirza, James Davies, Shane Ward and Michael K. Theodorou

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7463; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187463 - 10 Sep 2020

Viewed by 2696

Abstract

Chicken manure is an agricultural by-product that is a problematic feedstock for anaerobic digestion due to its high nitrogen content inhibiting methane yields. This research examines a novel pilot-scale method of ammonia stripping, the nitrogen recovery process (NRP) developed by Alchemy Utilities Ltd. [...] Read more.

Chicken manure is an agricultural by-product that is a problematic feedstock for anaerobic digestion due to its high nitrogen content inhibiting methane yields. This research examines a novel pilot-scale method of ammonia stripping, the nitrogen recovery process (NRP) developed by Alchemy Utilities Ltd. The NRP was designed to remove and recover nitrogen from chicken manure and two different operating conditions were examined. Both operating conditions demonstrated successful nitrogen removal and recovery. The biochemical methane potential assays were used to compare the digestibility of the NRP-treated chicken manures to that of a fresh chicken manure control. Overall, the biochemical methane potential assays demonstrated that some NRP-treated chicken manure treatments produced significantly more methane compared to untreated manure, with no inhibition occurring in relation to ammonium. However, some of the NRP-treated chicken manures produced similar or lower methane yields compared to fresh chicken manure. The NRP requires further development to improve the efficiency of the pilot-scale unit for commercial-scale operation and longer-term continuous anaerobic digestion trials are required to determine longer-term methane yield and ammonium inhibition effects. However, these initial results clearly demonstrate the technology’s potential and novel application for decentralised, on-farm nitrogen recovery and subsequent anaerobic digestion of chicken manure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Valorising Waste from the Agri-food Sector for Sustainability)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1043 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Recycling Agricultural Wastes and By-products in Organic Farming: Biofertilizer Production, Yield Performance and Carbon Footprint Analysis

by Mariangela Diacono, Alessandro Persiani, Elena Testani, Francesco Montemurro and Corrado Ciaccia

Sustainability 2019, 11(14), 3824; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11143824 - 12 Jul 2019

Cited by 109 | Viewed by 12015

Abstract

The Circular Economy concept implies the re-design of existing production systems in agriculture, by promoting agricultural waste recycling. In an organic zucchini—lettuce rotation, two different agroecological tools were considered: biofertilizer and presence or absence of green manure (GM+ and GM−). In particular, we [...] Read more.

The Circular Economy concept implies the re-design of existing production systems in agriculture, by promoting agricultural waste recycling. In an organic zucchini—lettuce rotation, two different agroecological tools were considered: biofertilizer and presence or absence of green manure (GM+ and GM−). In particular, we compared: (i) anaerobic digestate from cattle manure, co-composted with vegetable wastes, with the presence of GM (AD GM+); (ii) olive pomace compost, re-composted, with the presence of GM (OWC GM+); (iii) municipal waste compost with GM (MWC GM+); (iv) municipal waste compost without GM (MWC GM−). These materials were tested with a commercial organic fertilizer without GM (COF GM−) as a positive control. The objectives were: (i) assessing the environmental sustainability of biofertilizers through carbon footprint analysis by greenhouse gas—GHG—emissions; (ii) evaluating the agronomic performance on the vegetable rotation, by energy output assessment. The total carbon emissions of biofertilizers production was 63.9 and 67.0 kg of CO₂ eq Mg⁻¹ for AD and OWC, respectively. The co-composting and re-composting processes emitted 31.4 and 8.4 kg CO₂ per Mg of compost, respectively. In AD the ventilation phase of composting accounted for 37.2% of total emissions. The total CO₂ emission values for the two-crop cycles were the highest in COF GM− and the lowest in OWC GM+, due to different fertilizer sources. On the average of the treatments, the input that induced the highest CO₂ emission was irrigation (37.9%). The energy output assessment for zucchini and lettuce highlighted similar performance for all the treatments. Our findings demonstrated the validity of the tested processes to recycle agro-industrial wastes, and the potential of agroecological practices (GM) to mitigate GHG emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Valorising Waste from the Agri-food Sector for Sustainability)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2662 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of the Addition of Natural Rice Bran Oil on the Thermal, Mechanical, Morphological and Viscoelastic Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)

by Maria Cristina Righetti, Patrizia Cinelli, Norma Mallegni, Carlo Andrea Massa, Maria Irakli and Andrea Lazzeri

Sustainability 2019, 11(10), 2783; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102783 - 15 May 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3516

Abstract

For the first time in this study, the utilization of rice bran oil (RBO) as possible totally eco-friendly plasticizer for poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been investigated. For comparison, the behavior of soybean oil (SO) has also been analyzed. Both oils are not completely [...] Read more.

For the first time in this study, the utilization of rice bran oil (RBO) as possible totally eco-friendly plasticizer for poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been investigated. For comparison, the behavior of soybean oil (SO) has also been analyzed. Both oils are not completely miscible with PLA. However, certain compatibility exists between PLA and (i) RBO and (ii) SO, because demixing is not complete. Although not totally miscible, RBO and SO are able to reduce the viscosity of the PLA+RBO and PLA+SO mixtures, which attests that a small amount of RBO or SO can be successfully added to PLA to improve its processability. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the PLA+RBO and PLA+SO mixtures exhibit trends typical of plasticizer-polymer systems. More interestingly, RBO was found to accelerate the growth of PLA α’-crystals at a low crystallization temperature. This feature is appealing, because the α’-phase presents lower elastic modulus and higher permeability to water vapor in comparison to the α-phase, which grows at high temperatures. Thus, this study demonstrates that the addition of RBO to PLA in small percentages is a useful solution for a faster preparation of PLA materials containing mainly the α’-phase. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Valorising Waste from the Agri-food Sector for Sustainability)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 289 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heterogeneity in the Chemical Composition of Biofertilizers, Potential Agronomic Use, and Heavy Metal Contents of Different Agro-Industrial Wastes

by Sabrina Magaly Navas Cajamarca, Douglas Martins, Juscimar da Silva, Mariana Rodrigues Fontenelle, Ítalo Moraes Rocha Guedes, Cícero Célio de Figueiredo and Carlos Eduardo Pacheco Lima

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 1995; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11071995 - 03 Apr 2019

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3687

Abstract

Several agro-industrial, livestock, and food wastes can be recycled to create biofertilizers. This diversity of raw materials can result in nutritional imbalance and an increase in heavy metal content, which could make the final product unfeasible. Thus, the chemical characterization of the raw [...] Read more.

Several agro-industrial, livestock, and food wastes can be recycled to create biofertilizers. This diversity of raw materials can result in nutritional imbalance and an increase in heavy metal content, which could make the final product unfeasible. Thus, the chemical characterization of the raw materials and their influence on the sustainable and safe production of biofertilizers need to be better understood. In this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the chemical characteristics of agro-industrial residues used in the manufacture of an aerobic liquid biofertilizer. We analyzed the macronutrient, micronutrient, and trace metal contents of seven waste products used as raw materials to create a biofertilizer. In addition, a survey of secondary biofertilizer data from different residues was carried out that showed great heterogeneity in the chemical compositions of these residues, which has a direct impact on the agronomic efficiency of these biofertilizers. The characterization revealed that some materials may be contaminants of the soil, due to high levels of trace metals, especially cadmium. We conclude that the generation of detailed inventories, such as those of the nutrient and heavy metal contents of the raw materials and biofertilizers produced, is indispensable for the correct recommendation of biologically-based inputs in agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Valorising Waste from the Agri-food Sector for Sustainability)

Review

Jump to: Research

23 pages, 970 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sustainable Animal Feed Protein through the Cultivation of YARROWIA Lipolytica on Agro-Industrial Wastes and by-Products

by Sotiris I. Patsios, Anna Dedousi, Evangelia Ν. Sossidou and Antonios Zdragas

Sustainability 2020, 12(4), 1398; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12041398 - 14 Feb 2020

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 5698

Abstract

Proteins are essential constituents of animal feeds, which comprise mainly vegetable protein (e.g., soybean meal), which is produced and transported globally. The decoupling of protein-production and livestock-growth areas results in protein deficiencies in certain parts of the world, and in significant environmental stress. [...] Read more.

Proteins are essential constituents of animal feeds, which comprise mainly vegetable protein (e.g., soybean meal), which is produced and transported globally. The decoupling of protein-production and livestock-growth areas results in protein deficiencies in certain parts of the world, and in significant environmental stress. Alternative, more sustainable protein feeds are necessary to meet the increasing needs, and to decrease the environmental footprint of animal products. Yeast Single Cell Proteins (SCP), produced locally using various agro-industrial by-product streams, have significant potential as alternative animal feed protein. Particularly, Yarrowia lipolytica, an oleaginous, non-pathogenic microorganism has been characterized as a “workhorse” in biotechnological studies, drawing the attention of many researchers. The present review summarizes available resources on critical issues concerning the applicability and commercialization of Yarrowia lipolytica as an environment-friendly protein source for animal feed. It discusses the sustainability of the yeast SCP production process, it presents the recent advances concerning Yarrowia lipolytica cultivation on low-cost agro-industrial by-products, and it stresses the effects on the health and welfare of productive animals due to the inclusion of Yarrowia lipolytica in their diet. The data presented in this study should facilitate relative research advancement and the commercialization of Yarrowia lipolytica’s use as an alternative protein source/supplement for animal feeds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Valorising Waste from the Agri-food Sector for Sustainability)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Recycling and Valorising Waste from the Agri-food Sector for Sustainability

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (7 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI