“Valorization of Agricultural
Waste”
Presented by:
Hafiza Kanza Maryam
Presented to:
Dr. Misbah Sultan
Waste valorization:
• “Waste valorization is the converting of waste material into more
useful products including molded materials and biofuels”.
• Valorization of agricultural waste, is a form of waste conversion and
recycling strategy, not only contribute to clean environment,
socioeconomic development, resource conservation and recovery, but
also assist in achieving energy security and circular economy.
• Burning, dumping or unplanned landfilling are major traditional steps
to get rid of untreated organic waste. This creates problems like global
warming by increasing the no. of greenhouse gases.
Agricultural waste:
• Agricultural waste is defined as the residues from the growing and
processing of raw agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables,
meat, poultry, dairy products and crops.
• Agricultural waste can be in the form of solid, liquid or slurries
depending upon the nature of agricultural activities.
• Agro waste, if improperly managed, can lead to soil degradation,
water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to
environmental degradation and climate change. Additionally, it can
attract pests and pathogens, posing risks to human and animal health.
Efficient disposal methods or conversion into useful products are
crucial to mitigate these disadvantages.
Types of agricultural waste:
Waste management:
• The first priority of agro/food waste management is to reduce the
quantity of waste to minimum.
• The next step is to reuse the generated waste by exploring new ways to
reuse waste other than traditional ways.
• The remaining extra waste then can be recycled for development of
new products like biofuels molded products etc.
• By reducing , reusing and recycling, a significant quantity can be
reduced from disposal.
Conversion of waste to biofuels:
• Agricultural waste materials like crop residues, straw, and manure are collected from
farms or processing facilities.
• The collected waste is cleaned, sorted, and sometimes pretreated to improve its
suitability for conversion.
• Biomass undergoes thermochemical or biochemical processes to produce biofuels like
bio-oil, bioethanol, or biogas.
• Thermochemical processes like pyrolysis, gasification, or combustion transform biomass
into biofuels or syngas.
• Biochemical conversions like fermentation or anaerobic digestion uses microorganisms
to break down biomass into biofuels.
• Biofuels are separated from reaction products and purified to remove impurities.
• Biofuels can be used as transportation fuels, heating fuels, or for electricity generation.
Biochar from agricultural waste:
• Biochar are produced from agricultural waste (maize stalk, pine
needles) and weed by using pyrolysis method.
• Agro waste can be converted into biochar within two hours.
• Improve soil fertility and crop yield.
• Improve water retention, aeration, and soil tilth.
• Application of biochar improve soil PH.
• Biochar sequesters carbon in the soil for hundreds to thousands of
years, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate
change.
Uses of Banana waste:
• Approximately 30 tonnes of waste is generated per acre banana stem alone.
• This has become a worrying factor for growers dump such large amounts of
waste.
• Banana fiber also finds use in Handmade textiles, biodegradable food packaging,
high-quality security/currency paper, ship-towing ropes, wet drilling cables, etc.
• Banana peels are readily available agricultural waste, yet they seem to be under
utilized as potential growth medium for local yeast strain, and are often available
for animal feed.
• The juice extracted from stem has many medicinal benefits. Because they contain
vitamin A, bananas act as an aid to digestion, and provides an apparent remedy
for stomach problems in people of all ages.
• The pounded peels of ripe bananas can be used to make a poultice for wounds
and, as the inside of the peel has anti-septic properties it can be wrapped directly
around wounds or cuts in an emergency.
Biodegradable cutlery:
• The agro waste like rice straw is treated with a natural solvent to
separate the organic polymer from cellulose leading to the formation
of pulp.
• The semi solid substance is then dried and molded into biodegradable
cups, plates and jars.
Mushroom walls:
• Mycelium, a type of bacteria is placed in mold
with tree trunks and agricultural byproducts.
• Within a couple of days, organic matter grow to
the desired shape. Grown shape is dried in the
oven to stop bacterial activity.
• The waste materials provide nutrients and a
suitable environment for the mycelium to thrive
and form the desired shape
• The final shape can be used to replace traditional
insulating and packing materials which are non-
biodegradable.
Biodegradable pots:
• Biodegradable pots are made from agricultural waste such as rice
husks or wheat straw mixed with natural binders.
• To increase cross-linking between polymeric fibers (cellulose,
hemicellulose, etc), substances like sodium alginate or other similar
compounds are used.
• Natural plasticizer, binder like starch etc are used to increase the
intermolecular adhesive forces to improve the structure forming
ability of polymers.
• After shaping and drying, these pots are ready for use in planting.
• As plants grow, the pots gradually decompose, enriching the soil with
nutrients, enabling nutrient recycling into the soil.
• This sustainable alternative to plastic pots reduces waste and supports
eco-friendly gardening practices.
Conclusion:
• Agriculture is one of the largest biological sectors that produces the
highest biomass, which can be an important input for the
bioeconomy.
• waste valorisation must be used to generate value-added products,
farmer's livelihood, job opportunities for youth, and sustainability in
agriculture.
Questions:
1. What is Waste valorization?
2. what are the types of agricultural waste?
3. How agricultural waste can be managed?
4. what are the advantages of using biodegradable pots?
5. How waste is converted to biofuels?
