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Innovative Processes and Technologies for Nutrient Recovery from Wastes: A Comprehensive Review

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  • Mukhtar Ahmed

    (Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183 Umeå, Sweden
    Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan
    Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6120, USA)

  • Shakeel Ahmad

    (Department of Agronomy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan)

  • Fayyaz-ul-Hassan

    (Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan)

  • Ghulam Qadir

    (Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan)

  • Rifat Hayat

    (Department of Soil Science and Soil Water Conservation, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan)

  • Farid Asif Shaheen

    (Department of Entomology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Ali Raza

    (College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China)

Abstract

Waste management is necessary for environmental and economic sustainability, but it depends upon socioeconomic, political, and environmental factors. More countries are shifting toward recycling as compared to landfilling; thus, different researchers have presented the zero waste concept, considering the importance of sustainability. This review was conducted to provide information about different well established and new/emerging technologies which could be used to recover nutrients from wastes and bring zero waste concepts in practical life. Technologies can be broadly divided into the triangle of nutrient accumulation, extraction, and release. Physicochemical mechanisms, plants, and microorganisms (algae and prokaryotic) could be used to accumulate nutrients. Extraction of nutrient is possible through electrodialysis and crystallization while nutrient release can occur via thermochemical and biochemical treatments. Primary nutrients, i.e., nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, are used globally and are non-renewable. Augmented upsurges in prices of inorganic fertilizers and required discharge restrictions on nutrients have stimulated technological developments. Thus, well-proven technologies, such as biochar, composting, vermicomposting, composting with biochar, pyrolysis, and new emerging technologies (forward osmosis and electro-dialysis) have potential to recover nutrients from wastes. Therefore, reviewing the present and imminent potential of these technologies for adaptation of nutrient recycling from wastes is of great importance. Since waste management is a significant concern all over the globe and technologies, e.g., landfill, combustion, incineration, pyrolysis, and gasification, are available to manage generated wastes, they have adverse impacts on society and on the environment. Thus, climate-friendly technologies, such as composting, biodegradation, and anaerobic decomposition, with the generation of non-biodegradable wastes need to be adopted to ensure a sustainable future environment. Furthermore, environmental impacts of technology could be quantified by life cycle assessment (LCA). Therefore, LCA could be used to evaluate the performance of different environmentally-friendly technologies in waste management and in the designing of future policies. LCA, in combination with other approaches, may prove helpful in the development of strategies and policies for the selection of dynamic products and processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Mukhtar Ahmed & Shakeel Ahmad & Fayyaz-ul-Hassan & Ghulam Qadir & Rifat Hayat & Farid Asif Shaheen & Muhammad Ali Raza, 2019. "Innovative Processes and Technologies for Nutrient Recovery from Wastes: A Comprehensive Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:18:p:4938-:d:265853
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    3. Modupe Stella Ayilara & Oluwaseyi Samuel Olanrewaju & Olubukola Oluranti Babalola & Olu Odeyemi, 2020. "Waste Management through Composting: Challenges and Potentials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-23, May.
    4. Maria Cristina Collivignarelli & Stefano Bellazzi & Laura Maria Rita Calabria & Marco Sordi & Barbara Marianna Crotti & Alessandro Abbà, 2025. "Operational Criteria and Challenges in Management of Liquid Waste Treatment Facility Based on Chemical–Physical Processes and Membrane Biological Reactor in Thermophilic Conditions: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-19, September.
    5. Miao Zheng & Jinglan Cui & Xiaoxi Wang & Xiuming Zhang & Zhongrui Xie & Ruoxi Zhang & Xinpeng Xu & Baojing Gu, 2025. "Shifts in precipitation regimes exacerbate global inequality in grassland nitrogen cycles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    6. Anna Zaręba & Alicja Krzemińska & Mariusz Adynkiewicz-Piragas & Todor Stojanovski & Haifeng Jia & Riccardo Privitera & Dan van der Horst, 2025. "Multifunctional Vertical Farming Systems as a Basis for Transforming Urban Food Systems Amid Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-18, September.
    7. Ilaria Orlandella & Silvia Fiore, 2025. "Life Cycle Assessment of the Production of Biofertilizers from Agricultural Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-16, January.

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