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Achieving Sustainable Phosphorus Use in Food Systems through Circularisation

Author

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  • Paul J. A. Withers

    (Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK)

  • Donnacha G. Doody

    (Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast BT9 5BX, UK)

  • Roger Sylvester-Bradley

    (ADAS, Boxworth, Boxworth, Cambridge CB23 4NN, UK)

Abstract

The notion of a phosphorus (P) circular economy provides the philosophy, framework, and opportunity to enable food production systems to become more efficient, sustainable, and resilient to a future P scarcity or sudden price shock. Whilst P recovery and recycling are central strategies for closing the P cycle, additional gains in environmental performance of food systems can be obtained by further minimising the amounts of P (a) introduced into the food system by lowering system P demand and (b) lost from the system by utilising legacy P stores in the landscape. This minimisation is an important cascading component of circularisation because it reduces the amounts of P circulating in the system, the amounts of P required to be recycled/recovered and the storage of unused P in the landscape, whilst maintaining agricultural output. The potential for circularisation and minimisation depends on regional differences in these P flow dynamics. We consider incremental and transformative management interventions towards P minimisation within circular economies, and how these might be tempered by the need to deliver a range of ecosystem services. These interventions move away from current production philosophies based on risk-averse, insurance-based farming, and current consumption patterns which have little regard for their environmental impact. We argue that a greater focus on P minimisation and circularisation should catalyse different actors and sectors in the food chain to embrace P sustainability and should empower future research needs to provide the confidence for them to do so without sacrificing future regional food security.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul J. A. Withers & Donnacha G. Doody & Roger Sylvester-Bradley, 2018. "Achieving Sustainable Phosphorus Use in Food Systems through Circularisation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:6:p:1804-:d:149769
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Cristina Maranesi & Pietro De Giovanni, 2020. "Modern Circular Economy: Corporate Strategy, Supply Chain, and Industrial Symbiosis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-25, November.
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    4. Sara Alonso-Muñoz & Rocío González-Sánchez & Cristina Siligardi & Fernando Enrique García-Muiña, 2021. "Building Exploitation Routines in the Circular Supply Chain to Obtain Radical Innovations," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-18, March.
    5. Gerald Steiner & Bernhard Geissler, 2018. "Sustainable Mineral Resource Management—Insights into the Case of Phosphorus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-8, August.
    6. Piero Morseletto, 2020. "Restorative and regenerative: Exploring the concepts in the circular economy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(4), pages 763-773, August.
    7. Andy Yuille & Shane Rothwell & Lynsay Blake & Kirsty J. Forber & Rachel Marshall & Richard Rhodes & Claire Waterton & Paul J. A. Withers, 2022. "UK Government Policy and the Transition to a Circular Nutrient Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, March.
    8. Lisa Harseim & Benjamin Sprecher & Cathrin Zengerling, 2021. "Phosphorus Governance within Planetary Boundaries: The Potential of Strategic Local Resource Planning in The Hague and Delfland, The Netherlands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-21, September.
    9. Julia Prüter & Sebastian Marcus Strauch & Lisa Carolina Wenzel & Wantana Klysubun & Harry Wilhelm Palm & Peter Leinweber, 2020. "Organic Matter Composition and Phosphorus Speciation of Solid Waste from an African Catfish Recirculating Aquaculture System," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-14, October.
    10. Lea Piscitelli & Zineb Bennani & Daniel El Chami & Donato Mondelli, 2022. "A Circular Economy Model to Improve Phosphate Rock Fertiliser Using Agro-Food By-Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-13, December.

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