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Resource Recovery from Waste for Agriculture, Landscaping and Aquaculture
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Resource Recovery from Waste for Agriculture, Landscaping and Aquaculture

A special issue of Resources (ISSN 2079-9276).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2017) | Viewed by 62909

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Pay Drechsel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
International Water Management Institute (IWMI), P.O. Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Dr. Miriam Otoo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
International Water Management Institute (IWMI), P.O. Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Dr. Johannes Paul

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With increasing attention to a circular economy, “resource recovery and reuse” (RRR) holds a prominent position in several Sustainable Development Goals, inevitably linking the challenges of food security, waste management, health and sanitation.

From an agricultural perspective, domestic and agro-industrial (food) waste is especially rich in nutrients and organic matter. However, in most parts of the world, this waste is not being managed in a way that permits us to derive value from its reuse. RRR initiatives remain often research driven pilots, highly subsidy dependent, and technology focused with limited market research and business planning to stimulate private sector participation.

In this context, we are looking for papers that take the business side of RRR seriously, and present either feasibility studies or the analysis of existing businesses covering not only technical options but in particular the institutional set-up, revenue models for cost recovery, and the enabling environment. Given the vast range of RRR options, we like to limit the scope to food waste from agro-industrial and domestic sources, including the management of manure and human excreta at scale, for reuse in agriculture, forestry, landscaping and aquaculture, or for energy generation. We prefer manuscripts on case studies from low-income countries or which present content that can be applied there.

Dr. Pay Drechsel
Dr. Miriam Otoo
Dr. Johannes Paul
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Resource recovery and reuse
  • Cost recovery
  • Food waste
  • Business models
  • Feasibility study
  • Agriculture
  • Phosphorous recovery
  • Energy recovery
  • Compost
  • Wastewater reuse

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

261 KiB  
Article
Market Feasibility of Faecal Sludge and Municipal Solid Waste-Based Compost as Measured by Farmers’ Willingness-to-Pay for Product Attributes: Evidence from Kampala, Uganda
by George K. Danso, Miriam Otoo, William Ekere, Stanley Ddungu and Ganesha Madurangi
Resources 2017, 6(3), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030031 - 21 Jul 2017
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 9747
Abstract
There is a great potential to close the nutrient recycling loop, support a ‘circular economy’ and improve cost recovery within the waste sector and to create viable businesses via the conversion of waste to organic fertilizers. Successful commercialization of waste-based organic fertilizer businesses [...] Read more.
There is a great potential to close the nutrient recycling loop, support a ‘circular economy’ and improve cost recovery within the waste sector and to create viable businesses via the conversion of waste to organic fertilizers. Successful commercialization of waste-based organic fertilizer businesses however largely depends on a sound market. We used a choice experiment to estimate farmers’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for faecal sludge and municipal solid waste-based (FSM) compost in Kampala, Uganda and considered three attributes—fortification, pelletization and certification. Our results reveal that farmers are willing to pay for FSM compost and place a higher value on a ‘certified’ compost product. They are willing to pay US $0.4 per kg above the current market price for a similar certified product, which is 67 times higher than the cost of providing the attribute. Farmers are willing to pay US $0.127 per kg for ‘pelletized’ FSM compost, which is lower (0.57 times) than the cost of providing the attribute. On the other hand, farmers require US $0.089 per kg as a compensation to use ‘fortified’ FSM compost. We suggest that future FSM compost businesses focus on a ‘certified and pelletized’ FSM product as this product type has the highest production cost–WTP differential and for which future businesses can capture the highest percentage of the consumer surplus. The demand for FSM compost indicates the benefits that can accrue to farmers, businesses and the environment from the recycling of organic waste for agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resource Recovery from Waste for Agriculture, Landscaping and Aquaculture)
681 KiB  
Article
Households’ Willingness-to-Pay for Fish Product Attributes and Implications for Market Feasibility of Wastewater-Based Aquaculture Businesses in Hanoi, Vietnam
by George K. Danso, Miriam Otoo, Nguyen Duy Linh and Ganesha Madurangi
Resources 2017, 6(3), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030030 - 21 Jul 2017
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6697
Abstract
A choice experiment was used to assess households’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for informational attributes (sources of water used to rear fish, and certification) of fish products in Hanoi, Vietnam. The study showed that households’ purchasing decisions are influenced by their access to information of [...] Read more.
A choice experiment was used to assess households’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for informational attributes (sources of water used to rear fish, and certification) of fish products in Hanoi, Vietnam. The study showed that households’ purchasing decisions are influenced by their access to information of food product attributes and ascribe an economic value to it. The results indicated that households are willing to pay 51% (USD 1.11 per kg) above the prevailing market price of fish for information to know if wastewater is used to rear the fish they consume. Similarly, they are willing to pay 20% above the prevailing market price of fish (USD 0.43 per kg) to know if freshwater is used as a rearing medium. It is important to note that the increased marginal WTP is for information on whether the fish they consume is raised in wastewater over freshwater. This supports the notion of households’ concern over the safety of consuming wastewater-raised fish. Households are also willing to pay 65% (USD 1.42 per kg) above the prevailing market price for certified fish. Based on the cost of fish certification and WTP estimates, we found a total economic benefit of USD 172 million for the implementation of a wastewater-raised fish business model in Hanoi. The demand for wastewater-raised fish is likely to be affected by households’ perception of certification by a trusted government agency, source of water used to raise the fish, age, income and household size. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resource Recovery from Waste for Agriculture, Landscaping and Aquaculture)
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1180 KiB  
Article
Impact of Fecal Sludge and Municipal Solid Waste Co-Compost on Crop Growth of Raphanus Sativus L. and Capsicum Anuum L. under Stress Conditions
by Felix Grau, Nikita Drechsel, Volker Haering, Dieter Trautz, Weerakkodige Jayantha Sisira Kumara Weerakkody, Pay Drechsel, Bernd Marschner, Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Priyanga Sashikanjali Dissanayake and Vijayapala Sinnathamby
Resources 2017, 6(3), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030026 - 17 Jul 2017
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 7728
Abstract
Co-composted dewatered faecal sludge (FS) with organic fractions of municipal solid waste (MSW) has a high potential to be used as an agricultural resource in Sri Lanka. In addition to options for cost recovery in waste management, closing the nutrient and carbon cycles [...] Read more.
Co-composted dewatered faecal sludge (FS) with organic fractions of municipal solid waste (MSW) has a high potential to be used as an agricultural resource in Sri Lanka. In addition to options for cost recovery in waste management, closing the nutrient and carbon cycles between urban and rural areas, substitution of mineral fertilizers, reduced pollution. and the restoration of degraded arable land are possible with important benefits. Up to now little is known about the usage of FS-MSW as fertilizer and it needs to be studied in order to achieve a better understanding and generate application recommendations. The aim of these experiments has been to evaluate the possibility of substituting mineral fertilization. Two field experiments were conducted on sandy loam to assess the effects of MSW compost and FS-MSW co-compost, its pelletized forms, and mineral-enriched FS-MSW on crop growth. As a short-term crop Raphanus sativus “Beeralu rabu” (radish) was studied for 50 days in a randomized complete block design (RCDB). Results show that, under drought conditions, FS-MSW co-compost increased the yield significantly, while MSW and FS-MSW compost enabled the highest survival rate of the plants. Similarly, the second field trial with a long-term crop, Capsicum anuum “CA-8” (capsicum), was planted as RCBD, using the same treatments, for a cultivation period of 120 days. Results display that during a drought followed by water saturated soil conditions co-compost treatments achieved comparable yields and increased the survival rate significantly compared to the control, fertilized with urea, triple super phosphate, and muriate of potash. Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) revealed that pelletizing decreased the monetary benefits if only fertilizer value is considered. It can be concluded that, under drought and water stress, co-compost ensures comparable yields and enables more resistance, but might not be economical viable as a one-crop fertilizer. These findings need to be validated with further trials under different climate regimes and soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resource Recovery from Waste for Agriculture, Landscaping and Aquaculture)
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1430 KiB  
Article
Effect of Urine, Poultry Manure, and Dewatered Faecal Sludge on Agronomic Characteristics of Cabbage in Accra, Ghana
by Philip Amoah, Noah Adamtey and Olufunke Cofie
Resources 2017, 6(2), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6020019 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 8248
Abstract
The study was to assess the: (i) effect of human urine and other organic inputs on cabbage growth, yield, nutrient uptake, N-use efficiency, and soil chemical characteristics; (ii) economic returns of the use of urine and/or other organic inputs as a source of [...] Read more.
The study was to assess the: (i) effect of human urine and other organic inputs on cabbage growth, yield, nutrient uptake, N-use efficiency, and soil chemical characteristics; (ii) economic returns of the use of urine and/or other organic inputs as a source of fertiliser for cabbage production. To meet these objectives, participatory field trials were conducted at Dzorwulu, Accra. Four different treatments (Urine alone, Urine + dewatered faecal sludge (DFS), Urine + poultry droppings (PD), NPK (15-15-15) + PD) were applied in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with soil alone as control. Each treatment was applied at a rate of 121 kg·N·ha−1 corresponding to the Nitrogen requirement of cabbage in Ghana. Growth and yield parameters, plant nutrient uptake, and soil chemical characteristics were determined using standard protocols. There were no significant differences between treatments for cabbage head weight, or total and marketable yields. However, unmarketable yield from NPK + PD was 1 to 2 times higher (p < 0.05) than those from Urine + PD, Urine + DFS, and Urine alone. Seasonal effect on yields was also pronounced with higher (p < 0.001) cabbage head weight (0.95 kg) and marketable yields (12.7 kg·ha−1) in the dry season than the rainy season (0.42 kg and 6.27 kg·ha−1). There was higher (p < 0.005) phosphorous uptake in cabbage from Urine + PD treated soil than those from other treatments. Nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) uptake in the dry season was significantly higher than the rainy season. Soils treated with Urine + DFS and Urine + PD were high in total N content. Urine + PD and Urine + DFS treated soils gave fairly high yield than PD + NPK with a net gain of US$1452.0 and US$1663.5, respectively. The application of urine in combination with poultry droppings has the potential to improve cabbage yields, nutrient uptake, and soil nitrogen and phosphorous content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resource Recovery from Waste for Agriculture, Landscaping and Aquaculture)
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2569 KiB  
Article
Feasibility of Biomass Briquette Production from Municipal Waste Streams by Integrating the Informal Sector in the Philippines
by Aries Roda D. Romallosa and Eckhard Kraft
Resources 2017, 6(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6010012 - 24 Feb 2017
Cited by 42 | Viewed by 29628
Abstract
A technical and socio-economic feasibility study of biomass briquette production was performed in Iloilo City, Philippines, by integrating a registered group of the informal sector. The study has shown that the simulated production of biomass briquettes obtained from the municipal waste stream could [...] Read more.
A technical and socio-economic feasibility study of biomass briquette production was performed in Iloilo City, Philippines, by integrating a registered group of the informal sector. The study has shown that the simulated production of biomass briquettes obtained from the municipal waste stream could lead to a feasible on-site fuel production line after determining its usability, quality and applicability to the would-be users. The technology utilized for briquetting is not complicated when operated due to its simple, yet sturdy design with suggestive results in terms of production rate, bulk density and heating value of the briquettes produced. Quality briquettes were created from mixtures of waste paper, sawdust and carbonized rice husk, making these material flows a renewable source of cost-effective fuels. An informal sector that would venture into briquette production can be considered profitable for small business enterprising, as demonstrated in the study. The informal sector from other parts of the world, having similar conditionality with that of the Uswag Calajunan Livelihood Association, Inc. (UCLA), could play a significant role in the recovery of these reusable waste materials from the waste stream and can add value to them as alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR) for household energy supply using appropriate technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resource Recovery from Waste for Agriculture, Landscaping and Aquaculture)
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