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Decentralized Processing Performance of Fruit and Vegetable Waste Discarded from Retail, Using an Automated Thermophilic Composting Technology

Author

Listed:
  • Florin Nenciu

    (National Institute of Research—Development for Machines and Installations Designed for Agriculture and Food Industry—INMA Bucharest, 013811 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Iustina Stanciulescu

    (Electronic Waste Management SRL, 137370 Potlogi, Romania)

  • Horia Vlad

    (Electronic Waste Management SRL, 137370 Potlogi, Romania)

  • Andrei Gabur

    (Electronic Waste Management SRL, 137370 Potlogi, Romania)

  • Ovidiu Leonard Turcu

    (Faculty of Economic Sciences, Vasile Alecsandri University of Bacau, 600115 Bacău, Romania)

  • Tiberiu Apostol

    (Faculty of Energy Engineering, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Valentin Nicolae Vladut

    (National Institute of Research—Development for Machines and Installations Designed for Agriculture and Food Industry—INMA Bucharest, 013811 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Diana Mariana Cocarta

    (Faculty of Energy Engineering, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Constantin Stan

    (Faculty of Energy Engineering, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

Food waste generation is increasing at an exponential rate, affecting the environment, food security, and causing major economic issues worldwide. The main aim of the current research is to investigate a novel composting technology that is still in its early stages of development. The proposed composting technology combining thermophilic composting with the use of advanced automated processing reactors. Starting from a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the waste generated at retail-stores, the most significant difficulties associated to waste management as well as the main characteristics of the discarded waste were identified. The findings allowed to design and evaluate the real operating performance of an automated thermophilic composting prototype (working in a decentralized regime), with the goal of delivering a faster processing system, improving operational efficiency, reducing expenses, and lowering environmental impacts. The proposed operating technique showed a high capacity for pathogens and seeds removal, the waste input mass reduction of 88%, and efficiency in food processing (2235 kg of fruits and vegetables in a 14-days timeframe).

Suggested Citation

  • Florin Nenciu & Iustina Stanciulescu & Horia Vlad & Andrei Gabur & Ovidiu Leonard Turcu & Tiberiu Apostol & Valentin Nicolae Vladut & Diana Mariana Cocarta & Constantin Stan, 2022. "Decentralized Processing Performance of Fruit and Vegetable Waste Discarded from Retail, Using an Automated Thermophilic Composting Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-22, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:5:p:2835-:d:761100
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Marius Remus Oprescu & Sorin-Stefan Biris & Florin Nenciu, 2023. "Novel Furrow Diking Equipment-Design Aimed at Increasing Water Consumption Efficiency in Vineyards," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, February.
    2. Cristina (Soricu) Feodorov & Ana Maria Velcea & Florin Ungureanu & Tiberiu Apostol & Lăcrămioara Diana Robescu & Diana Mariana Cocarta, 2022. "Toward a Circular Bioeconomy within Food Waste Valorization: A Case Study of an On-Site Composting System of Restaurant Organic Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-10, July.
    3. Florin Nenciu & Iulian Voicea & Diana Mariana Cocarta & Valentin Nicolae Vladut & Mihai Gabriel Matache & Vlad-Nicolae Arsenoaia, 2022. "“Zero-Waste” Food Production System Supporting the Synergic Interaction between Aquaculture and Horticulture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Remigio Paradelo & Jose Navarro-Pedreño & Bruno Glaser & Anna Grobelak & Aneta Kowalska & Bal Ram Singh, 2023. "Potential and Constraints of Use of Organic Amendments from Agricultural Residues for Improvement of Soil Properties," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Nicoleta Ungureanu & Valentin Vlăduț & Sorin-Ștefan Biriș, 2022. "Sustainable Valorization of Waste and By-Products from Sugarcane Processing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-27, September.
    6. Florin Nenciu & Marius Remus Oprescu & Sorin-Stefan Biris, 2022. "Improve the Constructive Design of a Furrow Diking Rotor Aimed at Increasing Water Consumption Efficiency in Sunflower Farming Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-22, June.

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