Post-harvest Hop Waste Management
摘要
During the hop harvesting process, all the aboveground vegetation is removed from the fields. While cones are being picked, dried and sold, stems and leaves are left as a by-product gathered near the harvest halls. This excess biomass can amount up to 18 tonnes (fresh matter) from each harvested hectare and is used in some extent for biogas production or frequently regarded as waste, despite its potential as a valuable raw material. The circular economy on hop farms can be established by composting this waste hop biomass, generating a nutrient-rich organic fertiliser. Other possible uses encompass extraction of polyphenols from leaves and fibre extraction from stems for incorporation into biodegradable and compostable packaging material or bio-composites, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic materials; after their life-time they can be composted and nutrients are returned in the form of compost to agricultural land. There are also many other possibilities. Embracing circular economy practices fosters the long-term sustainability of the hop industry and underlines a commitment to environmentally responsible and socially equitable approaches to agricultural production. This chapter evaluates the potential of large amounts of post-harvest hop waste, with the specific aim of increasing sustainability in the hop industry through circular economy principles.