Economic Viability and Policy Implications of Agriculture Waste Valorization: Social and Economic Impacts, Policy Frameworks, and Regulations

The inputs derived from sources of nature (i.e., energy, water, wood, petroleum, gas, minerals) have limits to exhaustion or contamination, and with the expectation of population growth. The current linear “take-make-discard” economic model is no longer sustainable for the survival of humanity. In this regard, agriculture and the production of food, fiber, feed, biofuel, and biological raw materials are generators of a large amount of waste and by-products such as crop residue, agro-industries, livestock, and aquaculture which are currently burned or buried in soil, without any previous treatment, causing pollution of soil, air, water, and contributing to the global warming. This missed biomass can be inputs for the bio-economy approaches due have a composition rich in macromolecules, nutrients, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity. For the design of strategies for sustainable exploitation, the circular economy and bio-economy are frameworks with objectives, goals, and strategies to close production cycles with zero waste-seeking material and energy integration. This chapter discusses the challenges and perspectives where the circular economy and bio-economy should be systematically addressed with decision-makers and analysis tools for the sustainable use of biomass from agricultural activities with novel technologies, and effective public policies with the participation of actors and stakeholders.