Recycling of Biodegradable Waste in Agriculture: Transformation, Use, and Effects on Soil Quality

The objective of this chapter is to highlight the importance of the recovery and recycling of biodegradable waste in agriculture to improve the management of organic matter and nutrients and to promote the economic transition towards the circularity of resources. The advantages of the recovery and recycling of biodegradable waste deriving from livestock and agro-industrial origin in agriculture are discussed. The optimal management of these biomasses transforms them from waste to resource, reducing the amount of waste disposed in landfills and their impact on the environment. Bio-waste contains organic matter and nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, which can be recovered to improve soil fertility and crop nutrition. The recycling of bio-waste in agriculture reduces energy consumption by increasing the production of renewable energy and reducing the energy demand for the production of mineral fertilizers. Furthermore, fertilization with bio-based fertilizers administers organic matter to the soil, mitigating SOC loss with positive effects on soil quality. The processes of biodegradable waste transformation in bio-based fertilizers are illustrated: composting and anaerobic digestion. The results of some studies on the effects of fertilization with compost or digestate on the chemical-physical, mechanical, and biological properties of the soil are reported.