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Bio-based fertilizers: A practical approach towards circular economy
Katarzyna Chojnacka1, Konstantinos Moustakas2, Anna Witek-Krowiak3
1Department of Advanced Material Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw 50-373, Poland.
Bioresource Technology
|October 19, 2019
Summary
Fertilizer production must shift from fossil fuels to renewable biological waste to meet European goals. This reduces resource depletion and prevents water pollution from agricultural runoff.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Current fertilizer production heavily relies on non-renewable mineral deposits and fossil fuels.
- The European Commission mandates a 30% reduction in non-renewable resource use for fertilizers.
- Agricultural fertilizers contribute to eutrophication via nitrogen and phosphorus runoff.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of biological waste valorization for sustainable fertilizer production.
- To propose strategies for incentivizing waste utilization and penalizing non-renewable resource use.
- To address the challenges of implementing biological waste-based fertilizer technologies.
Main Methods:
- Review of current fertilizer production technologies and resource dependencies.
- Analysis of European Commission's policy goals for resource reduction.
- Conceptualization of localized waste solubilization and fertilizer production systems.
Main Results:
- Biological waste offers a viable renewable resource for fertilizer components.
- Incentives for waste valorization and penalties for non-renewable material use are crucial.
- Decentralized, on-site processing facilities mitigate transport and sanitary risks.
Conclusions:
- Transitioning to biological waste is essential for sustainable fertilizer production.
- Policy interventions are needed to drive the adoption of waste valorization.
- On-site processing is key to the practical implementation of biological fertilizer technologies.
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