Summary
This narrative review examines the valorisation of agricultural waste as a circular economy strategy, specifically through conversion into three categories of materials: biostimulants, biofertilizers, and biopolymers for agronomic application. The authors synthesise contemporary literature to demonstrate how waste revalorisation can simultaneously address resource scarcity, reduce environmental burden, and provide alternatives to synthetic agricultural inputs. The review positions agricultural waste management as integral to transitioning farming systems towards sustainability.
UK applicability
The circular economy valorisation strategies reviewed are applicable to UK agriculture, where substantial waste streams exist across arable, horticultural, and livestock sectors. UK policy frameworks (including the Environment Act and farming subsidy reforms) increasingly emphasise waste reduction and circular approaches, making these waste conversion technologies potentially relevant to future farming practice.
Key measures
Qualitative assessment of agricultural waste conversion pathways and their potential applications; environmental and sustainability outcomes of waste valorisation strategies
Outcomes reported
The review synthesised evidence on valorising agricultural waste through conversion into plant biostimulants, biofertilizers, and biopolymers for crop and soil application. It assessed how this circular economy approach can reduce environmental impact and replace synthetic agricultural inputs.
Topic tags
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