Energy and Matter Recovery from Organic Waste Processing and Reuse

Dear Colleagues

Today, as we face sudden climate changes, an escalating level of pollution, and a constantly increasing human population, the world needs to abandon its selfish ways and linear economy driven by the constant consumption of non-renewable resources. It is vital that the everyday activities of each human being on the planet begin to comply with the 3R strategy. The main assumptions underlying the idea of the circular economy are the conservation and optimal use of natural resources as well as the recycling and reuse of all matter derived from them. Our knowledge of this strategy derives from nature’s behavior and its laws. Adaptation to environmental and climate conditions will be a future challenge for all societies worldwide. This is why, today, it is our duty to step up and develop environmentally friendly technologies that mimic actual closed biological cycles found in nature. Biodegradable wastes resulting from various human activities, including municipal economies, industrial and business activities, food processing, and agriculture, have to be regarded as constant, valuable, and transferable sources of energy and matter. Consequently, recognizing the bio-based waste sector as one of the most resource-intensive sectors in the circular economy will, in turn, result in an unique opportunity to maximize the demand for recovery-based technological solutions and business models.

This Special Issue, therefore, seeks to contribute to the circular economy, end-of waste criteria (EWC), and life cycle assessment (LCA) agenda through enhancing our scientific and multi-disciplinary knowledge. In order to improve the performance of research in this area and identify new perspectives, we propose to focus on the most sustainable strategies for sewage sludge management, including treatment and disposal. A description of the state-of-the-art in terms of legislation, characterization, ecotoxicology, waste management, and actual routes currently used in particular countries will allow us to present a holistic view of the treatment of biowastes in compliance with the concept of the circular economy.

We, therefore, invite the submission of original research papers, reviews, case studies, and analytical or assessment articles from different disciplines that are relevant to sustainable and renewable waste management systems that meet the requirements of closed loops in energy and matter cycles.

Dr. Anna Grobelak
Guest Editor

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