IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v14y2020i1p159-d470755.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Water-Energy-Nutrients Synergies in the Agrifood Sector: A Circular Economy Framework

Author

Listed:
  • Efthymios Rodias

    (Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (iBO), Centre for Research and Technology—Hellas (CERTH), 10th km Charilaou-Thermi Road, Balkan Centre, 57001 Thermi, Greece)

  • Eirini Aivazidou

    (Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (iBO), Centre for Research and Technology—Hellas (CERTH), 10th km Charilaou-Thermi Road, Balkan Centre, 57001 Thermi, Greece
    Department of Industrial Management, School of Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box 461, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Charisios Achillas

    (Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (iBO), Centre for Research and Technology—Hellas (CERTH), 10th km Charilaou-Thermi Road, Balkan Centre, 57001 Thermi, Greece
    Department of Supply Chain Management, School of Economics and Business Administration, International Hellenic University, 60100 Katerini, Greece)

  • Dimitrios Aidonis

    (Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (iBO), Centre for Research and Technology—Hellas (CERTH), 10th km Charilaou-Thermi Road, Balkan Centre, 57001 Thermi, Greece
    Department of Supply Chain Management, School of Economics and Business Administration, International Hellenic University, 60100 Katerini, Greece)

  • Dionysis Bochtis

    (Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (iBO), Centre for Research and Technology—Hellas (CERTH), 10th km Charilaou-Thermi Road, Balkan Centre, 57001 Thermi, Greece)

Abstract

Circular economy is emerging as a regenerative concept that minimizes emissions, relies on renewable energy, and eliminates waste based on the design of closed-loop systems and the reuse of materials and resources. The implementation of circular economy practices in resource-consuming agricultural systems is essential for reducing the environmental ramifications of the currently linear systems. As the renewable segment of circular economy, bioeconomy facilitates the production of renewable biological resources (i.e., biomass) that transform into nutrients, bio-based products, and bioenergy. The use of recycled agro-industrial wastewater in agricultural activities (e.g., irrigation) can further foster the circularity of the bio-based systems. In this context, this paper aims to provide a literature review in the field of circular economy for the agrifood sector to enhance resource efficiency by: (i) minimizing the use of natural resources (e.g., water, energy), (ii) decreasing the use of chemical fertilizers, (iii) utilizing bio-based materials (e.g., agricultural/livestock residues), and (iv) reusing wastewater from agrifood operations. The final objective is to investigate any direct or indirect interactions within the water-energy-nutrients nexus. The derived framework of synergetic circular economy interventions in agriculture can act as a basis for developing circular bio-based business models and creating value-added agrifood products.

Suggested Citation

  • Efthymios Rodias & Eirini Aivazidou & Charisios Achillas & Dimitrios Aidonis & Dionysis Bochtis, 2020. "Water-Energy-Nutrients Synergies in the Agrifood Sector: A Circular Economy Framework," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2020:i:1:p:159-:d:470755
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/1/159/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/1/159/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Weiguo Fan & Peng Zhang & Zihan Xu & Hejie Wei & Nachuan Lu & Xuechao Wang & Boqi Weng & Zhongdian Chen & Feilong Wu & Xiaobin Dong, 2018. "Life Cycle Environmental Impact Assessment of Circular Agriculture: A Case Study in Fuqing, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Maria G. Lampridi & Claus G. Sørensen & Dionysis Bochtis, 2019. "Agricultural Sustainability: A Review of Concepts and Methods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-27, September.
    3. Christos Vlachokostas & Charisios Achillas & Ioannis Agnantiaris & Alexandra V. Michailidou & Christos Pallas & Eleni Feleki & Nicolas Moussiopoulos, 2020. "Decision Support System to Implement Units of Alternative Biowaste Treatment for Producing Bioenergy and Boosting Local Bioeconomy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-14, May.
    4. Deh-Haghi, Zoherh & Bagheri, Asghar & Fotourehchi, Zahra & Damalas, Christos A., 2020. "Farmers’ acceptance and willingness to pay for using treated wastewater in crop irrigation: A survey in western Iran," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    5. Maciej Balawejder & Natalia Matłok & Józef Gorzelany & Marcin Pieniążek & Piotr Antos & Grzegorz Witek & Małgorzata Szostek, 2019. "Foliar Fertilizer Based on Calcined Bones, Boron and Molybdenum—A Study on the Development and Potential Effects on Maize Grain Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-12, September.
    6. Pedrero, Francisco & Grattan, S.R. & Ben-Gal, Alon & Vivaldi, Gaetano Alessandro, 2020. "Opportunities for expanding the use of wastewaters for irrigation of olives," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    7. Simon Kizito & Hongzhen Luo & Jiaxin Lu & Hamidou Bah & Renjie Dong & Shubiao Wu, 2019. "Role of Nutrient-Enriched Biochar as a Soil Amendment during Maize Growth: Exploring Practical Alternatives to Recycle Agricultural Residuals and to Reduce Chemical Fertilizer Demand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-22, June.
    8. Dionysis Bochtis & Lefteris Benos & Maria Lampridi & Vasso Marinoudi & Simon Pearson & Claus G. Sørensen, 2020. "Agricultural Workforce Crisis in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-13, October.
    9. Daniel Hoehn & María Margallo & Jara Laso & Isabel García-Herrero & Alba Bala & Pere Fullana-i-Palmer & Angel Irabien & Rubén Aldaco, 2019. "Energy Embedded in Food Loss Management and in the Production of Uneaten Food: Seeking a Sustainable Pathway," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-19, February.
    10. Millar, Neal & McLaughlin, Eoin & Börger, Tobias, 2019. "The Circular Economy: Swings and Roundabouts?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 11-19.
    11. Theodora Angelopoulou & Athanasios Balafoutis & George Zalidis & Dionysis Bochtis, 2020. "From Laboratory to Proximal Sensing Spectroscopy for Soil Organic Carbon Estimation—A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-24, January.
    12. Maria Lampridi & Dimitrios Kateris & Claus Grøn Sørensen & Dionysis Bochtis, 2020. "Energy Footprint of Mechanized Agricultural Operations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-15, February.
    13. Paschalidou, A. & Tsatiris, M. & Kitikidou, K., 2016. "Energy crops for biofuel production or for food? - SWOT analysis (case study: Greece)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 636-647.
    14. Alessandro Sopegno & Efthymios Rodias & Dionysis Bochtis & Patrizia Busato & Remigio Berruto & Valter Boero & Claus Sørensen, 2016. "Model for Energy Analysis of Miscanthus Production and Transportation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-16, May.
    15. Canio Manniello & Dina Statuto & Andrea Di Pasquale & Gerardo Giuratrabocchetti & Pietro Picuno, 2020. "Planning the Flows of Residual Biomass Produced by Wineries for the Preservation of the Rural Landscape," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, January.
    16. I. Vaskalis & V. Skoulou & G. Stavropoulos & A. Zabaniotou, 2019. "Towards Circular Economy Solutions for The Management of Rice Processing Residues to Bioenergy via Gasification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-21, November.
    17. Alan Murray & Keith Skene & Kathryn Haynes, 2017. "The Circular Economy: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Concept and Application in a Global Context," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 140(3), pages 369-380, February.
    18. Efthymios Rodias & Remigio Berruto & Dionysis Bochtis & Patrizia Busato & Alessandro Sopegno, 2017. "A Computational Tool for Comparative Energy Cost Analysis of Multiple-Crop Production Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-15, June.
    19. Hussain, M. Iftikhar & Muscolo, Adele & Farooq, Muhammad & Ahmad, Waqar, 2019. "Sustainable use and management of non-conventional water resources for rehabilitation of marginal lands in arid and semiarid environments," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 462-476.
    20. Pedro Garcia-Caparros & Juana Isabel Contreras & Rafael Baeza & Maria Luz Segura & Maria Teresa Lao, 2017. "Integral Management of Irrigation Water in Intensive Horticultural Systems of Almería," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-21, December.
    21. Mariangela Diacono & Alessandro Persiani & Elena Testani & Francesco Montemurro & Corrado Ciaccia, 2019. "Recycling Agricultural Wastes and By-products in Organic Farming: Biofertilizer Production, Yield Performance and Carbon Footprint Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-17, July.
    22. Oana Brînzan & Marian Drăgoi & Dalia Bociort & Eugenia Țigan & Nicoleta Mateoc-Sîrb & Monica Lungu, 2020. "A Market-Based Economic Instrument to Better Use Water in Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-12, February.
    23. Aleksandra Dimitrijević & Marija Gavrilović & Sanjin Ivanović & Zoran Mileusnić & Rajko Miodragović & Saša Todorović, 2020. "Energy Use and Economic Analysis of Fertilizer Use in Wheat and Sugar Beet Production in Serbia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-12, May.
    24. Hassan Afzaal & Aitazaz A. Farooque & Farhat Abbas & Bishnu Acharya & Travis Esau, 2020. "Precision Irrigation Strategies for Sustainable Water Budgeting of Potato Crop in Prince Edward Island," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-16, March.
    25. Hugo Valin & Ronald D. Sands & Dominique van der Mensbrugghe & Gerald C. Nelson & Helal Ahammad & Elodie Blanc & Benjamin Bodirsky & Shinichiro Fujimori & Tomoko Hasegawa & Petr Havlik & Edwina Heyhoe, 2014. "The future of food demand: understanding differences in global economic models," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 45(1), pages 51-67, January.
    26. Patricia Gurria & Tevecia Ronzon & Saulius Tamosiunas & Raul Lopez & Sara Garcia Condado & Jordi Guillen & Noemi Cazzaniga & Ragnar Jonsson & Manjola Banja & Gianluca Fiore & Andrea Camia & Robert M'B, 2017. "Biomass flows in the European Union: The Sankey biomass diagram - towards a cross-set integration of biomass," JRC Research Reports JRC106502, Joint Research Centre.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Eirini Aivazidou & Dimitrios Aidonis & Naoum Tsolakis & Charisios Achillas & Dimitrios Vlachos, 2022. "Wine Supply Chain Network Configuration under a Water Footprint Cap," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Joanna Wiśniewska-Paluszak & Grzegorz Paluszak, 2021. "The Urban and Peri-Urban Farms (UPFs) Relational Model: The Case of Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Charisios Achillas & Dionysis Bochtis, 2021. "Supply Chain Management for Bioenergy and Bioresources: Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-4, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Luca Adami & Marco Schiavon, 2021. "From Circular Economy to Circular Ecology: A Review on the Solution of Environmental Problems through Circular Waste Management Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Charisios Achillas & Dionysis Bochtis, 2020. "Toward a Green, Closed-Loop, Circular Bioeconomy: Boosting the Performance Efficiency of Circular Business Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-6, December.
    3. Murillo Vetroni Barros & Rômulo Henrique Gomes Jesus & Bruno Silva Ribeiro & Cassiano Moro Piekarski, 2023. "Going in Circles: Key Aspects for Circular Economy Contributions to Agro-industrial Cooperatives," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 861-880, June.
    4. Barros, Murillo Vetroni & Salvador, Rodrigo & de Francisco, Antonio Carlos & Piekarski, Cassiano Moro, 2020. "Mapping of research lines on circular economy practices in agriculture: From waste to energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    5. Ahmad, Farhan & Bask, Anu & Laari, Sini & Robinson, Craig V., 2023. "Business management perspectives on the circular economy: Present state and future directions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    6. Andrea Cecchin & Roberta Salomone & Pauline Deutz & Andrea Raggi & Laura Cutaia, 2021. "What Is in a Name? The Rising Star of the Circular Economy as a Resource-Related Concept for Sustainable Development," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 83-97, June.
    7. Chembessi Chedrak & Gohoungodji Paulin & Juste Rajaonson, 2023. "“A fine wine, better with age”: Circular economy historical roots and influential publications: A bibliometric analysis using Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy (RPYS)," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(6), pages 1593-1612, December.
    8. Alejandro Padilla-Rivera & Sara Russo-Garrido & Nicolas Merveille, 2020. "Addressing the Social Aspects of a Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-17, September.
    9. Hervé Corvellec & Alison F. Stowell & Nils Johansson, 2022. "Critiques of the circular economy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(2), pages 421-432, April.
    10. Yamoah, Fred A. & Sivarajah, Uthayasankar & Mahroof, Kamran & Peña, Iker González, 2022. "Demystifying corporate inertia towards transition to circular economy: A management frame of reference," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    11. Animesh Ghosh & Prabha Bhola & Uthayasankar Sivarajah, 2022. "Emerging Associates of the Circular Economy: Analysing Interactions and Trends by a Mixed Methods Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-41, August.
    12. David Monciardini & Laura Rocca & Monica Veneziani, 2024. "Virtuous circles: Transformative impact and challenges of the social and solidarity circular economy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 642-660, February.
    13. Daniel A. Salas & Paulina Criollo & Angel D. Ramirez, 2021. "The Role of Higher Education Institutions in the Implementation of Circular Economy in Latin America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-27, August.
    14. Camilo-A. Vargas-Terranova & Javier Rodrigo-Ilarri & María-Elena Rodrigo-Clavero & Miguel-A. Rozo-Arango, 2022. "M-GRCT: A Dynamic Circular Economy Model for the Optimal Design of Waste Management Systems in Low-Income Municipalities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-25, February.
    15. Maria Lampridi & Dimitrios Kateris & Claus Grøn Sørensen & Dionysis Bochtis, 2020. "Energy Footprint of Mechanized Agricultural Operations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-15, February.
    16. Charisios Achillas & Dionysis Bochtis, 2021. "Supply Chain Management for Bioenergy and Bioresources: Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-4, September.
    17. G. Venkatesh, 2022. "Circular Bio-economy—Paradigm for the Future: Systematic Review of Scientific Journal Publications from 2015 to 2021," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 231-279, March.
    18. Vasso Marinoudi & Maria Lampridi & Dimitrios Kateris & Simon Pearson & Claus Grøn Sørensen & Dionysis Bochtis, 2021. "The Future of Agricultural Jobs in View of Robotization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-15, November.
    19. Mohammed Sakib Uddin & Khaled Mahmud & Bijoy Mitra & Al-Ekram Elahee Hridoy & Syed Masiur Rahman & Md Shafiullah & Md. Shafiul Alam & Md. Ismail Hossain & Mohammad Sujauddin, 2023. "Coupling Nexus and Circular Economy to Decouple Carbon Emissions from Economic Growth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-21, January.
    20. Mura, Rita & Vicentini, Francesca & Botti, Ludovico Maria & Chiriacò, Maria Vincenza, 2023. "Economic and environmental outcomes of a sustainable and circular approach: Case study of an Italian wine-producing firm," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2020:i:1:p:159-:d:470755. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.