JOURNAL: Synergy between industry and agriculture: Techno-economic and life cycle assessments of waste recovery for crop growth in glasshouses
Summary
Authors:
Lewis J. McDonald
Ariane S.S. Pinto
Muhammad Naveed Arshad
Rebecca L. Rowe
Iain Donnison
Marcelle McManus
University of Bath
Aberystwyth University
Lancaster Environment Centre
Synergy between industry and agriculture: Techno-economic and life cycle assessments of waste recovery for crop growth in glasshouses
Journal of Cleaner Production
December 2023
This article explores the environmental and economic potential of controlled-environment agriculture, where carbon dioxide, heat, and other wastes are recovered or recycled. Evaluating the synergy of producing crops (tomato and hemp) and recovering industrial wastes (e.g., heat and carbon dioxide) in glasshouses, the study compares linear scenarios (no waste recovery) with circular scenarios (reusing industry flows). Circular practices show a net benefit on global warming potential, capturing up to 50,000 kg/y of CO2 and providing competitive product prices. While this strategy has potential to be an environmentally friendly approach with economic feasibility, challenges exist in the waste management phase, chemical fertilisers, and pesticides utilisation.