INNOVATIVE FOOD WASTE RECYCLING METHODS FOR AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

This systematic review investigates innovative food waste recycling methods and their contributions to agricultural sustainability, focusing on four key approaches: composting, anaerobic digestion, biochar production, and vermiculture. 45 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2024 were analyzed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The review demonstrates that these methods significantly improve soil health, increase crop yields, and reduce environmental impacts. Composting enhances soil structure and moisture retention, while anaerobic digestion offers dual benefits of biogas production and nutrient-rich digestate. Biochar production improves soil aeration, water retention, and carbon sequestration, contributing to long-term climate change mitigation. Vermiculture, a low-cost method for small-scale farmers, produces high-quality compost with enhanced nutrient content. However, scalability and economic feasibility remain key challenges across all methods. Technological advancements, such as automation and machine learning, offer promising solutions to improve the efficiency and scalability of these recycling methods. The review identifies critical gaps in the literature, particularly regarding the long-term impacts of these methods and the economic barriers to their widespread adoption. Future research should focus on addressing these challenges and exploring policy interventions to promote broader implementation, particularly in under-resourced regions. These findings suggest that food waste recycling plays a vital role in achieving a circular agricultural economy and advancing global sustainability goals.