The disposal of agro-industrial waste in a conventional waste management system results in significant greenhouse gas emissions. Although converting agricultural residues into bioproducts can reduce the environmental impact of the agricultural sector, adoption remains limited due to a lack of management solutions tailored to specific waste types, local conditions, and process parameters. The literature lacks in-depth comparative studies on the different methods for valorizing fennel waste in order to identify the most effective strategy. This study evaluates alternative management strategies for fennel waste generated on a farm in Campania, Italy, using life cycle assessment as a decision-support tool. Four scenarios were assessed per ton of fennel waste: conventional waste management, composting, aqueous extraction of compost, and pyrolysis for the production of biochar, electricity, and thermal energy. All valorization scenarios show lower CO₂-equivalent emissions than conventional waste management. However, pyrolysis exhibits higher impacts across several other environmental indicators due to energy-intensive pre-treatment. Composting provides the greatest overall environmental benefits, especially when considering the system's expansion thanks to the partial substitution of synthetic fertilizers and carbon sequestration.
Environmental evaluation of fennel waste valorization options / Campana, E., Ciriello, M., Rouphael, Y., Martin, M., De Pascale, S.. - In: CLEANER WASTE SYSTEMS. - ISSN 2772-9125. - 15:(2026). [10.1016/j.clwas.2026.100553]
Environmental evaluation of fennel waste valorization options
Campana E.;Ciriello M.;Rouphael Y.;De Pascale S.
2026
Abstract
The disposal of agro-industrial waste in a conventional waste management system results in significant greenhouse gas emissions. Although converting agricultural residues into bioproducts can reduce the environmental impact of the agricultural sector, adoption remains limited due to a lack of management solutions tailored to specific waste types, local conditions, and process parameters. The literature lacks in-depth comparative studies on the different methods for valorizing fennel waste in order to identify the most effective strategy. This study evaluates alternative management strategies for fennel waste generated on a farm in Campania, Italy, using life cycle assessment as a decision-support tool. Four scenarios were assessed per ton of fennel waste: conventional waste management, composting, aqueous extraction of compost, and pyrolysis for the production of biochar, electricity, and thermal energy. All valorization scenarios show lower CO₂-equivalent emissions than conventional waste management. However, pyrolysis exhibits higher impacts across several other environmental indicators due to energy-intensive pre-treatment. Composting provides the greatest overall environmental benefits, especially when considering the system's expansion thanks to the partial substitution of synthetic fertilizers and carbon sequestration.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
