Waste Management for the Recovery of Agricultural Nutrients: A Case Study of Ethanol Vinasse

Vinasse is a coproduct obtained in the distillation column during the production of ethanol alcohol from sugar cane. In the literature, it has been identified that it contains a pH of between 3.5 and 5.0, COD >100,000 mg/L, and BOD5 of 31,250 mg/L, so its disposal without treatment can affect the ecosystem. However, it is rich in micro- and macronutrients that can be obtained and used after treatment. This chapter aims to identify the nutrients that vinasse presents from its components, which can be channeled to meet the needs of sugarcane cultivation, thus reducing the use of chemical fertilizers. The redesign of the sugar–alcohol value chain, under a Circular Economy model, turns out to be a strategy that allows the reuse of treated vinasse in the same value chain that generates it, allowing the production cycle to be closed. Finally, it is considered that the best way to manage waste is not to generate it. However, while this is not possible, the development of strategies to mitigate its negative impact on the environment is an effort that must be addressed for sustainable and sustainable social development.