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A Study on the Management of Residuals in Alberta's Agricultural and Agri-processing Industry

Received: 30 July 2013    Accepted:     Published: 20 August 2013
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Abstract

Agricultural and agri-processing industries generate appreciable quantity of residuals. Many of these residuals are biodegradable and can be processed to other value-added products, but a number of them require special handling. Today, there is a wide range of technologies that can be used by agricultural and agri-processing industries in processing these residuals to value-added products at various stages of the process lifecycle. Consequently, these processing technologies reduces the amount of residuals that is discarded as wastes. The purpose of this study was to identify types and sources of residuals in Alberta’s agricultural and agri-processing industry. The study was also aimed at identifying commonly used residuals management technologies in the industry, factors affecting their choices, and the degree of importance attached to each factor in arriving at the final decision. The study involved a survey of twenty six farms and agri-processing companies all over Alberta. The survey was conducted by phone calls and by administration of questionnaire to the companies. Results from the study revealed that animal manure from feedlots is the major type of residuals from the industry. The manure is managed by applying it on farms for improved yield. In addition, the study revealed that residuals management decisions in the agricultural and agri-processing industry is a multi-criteria and multi-stage decision-making process. Moreover, provincial regulations, economic factor, and available technologies played significant roles in the choice of residuals management methods.

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 1, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijepp.20130103.11
Page(s) 38-43
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Agri-Waste, Residuals Management, Waste Management, Waste Minimization, Waste Reduction

References
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[19] B. Beattie, "Adding Value to Processing Wastes: Barriers & Benefits," Green Matters, vol. 27(3), accessed on 20 Sept. 2012 at http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/newslett.nsf/pdf/gm10028/$file/spring2006.pdf?OpenElement
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  • APA Style

    Israel Dunmade. (2013). A Study on the Management of Residuals in Alberta's Agricultural and Agri-processing Industry. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 1(3), 38-43. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20130103.11

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    ACS Style

    Israel Dunmade. A Study on the Management of Residuals in Alberta's Agricultural and Agri-processing Industry. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2013, 1(3), 38-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20130103.11

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    AMA Style

    Israel Dunmade. A Study on the Management of Residuals in Alberta's Agricultural and Agri-processing Industry. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2013;1(3):38-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20130103.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20130103.11,
      author = {Israel Dunmade},
      title = {A Study on the Management of Residuals in Alberta's Agricultural and Agri-processing Industry},
      journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
      volume = {1},
      number = {3},
      pages = {38-43},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20130103.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20130103.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20130103.11},
      abstract = {Agricultural and agri-processing industries generate appreciable quantity of residuals. Many of these residuals are biodegradable and can be processed to other value-added products, but a number of them require special handling. Today, there is a wide range of technologies that can be used by agricultural and agri-processing industries in processing these residuals to value-added products at various stages of the process lifecycle. Consequently, these processing technologies reduces the amount of residuals that is discarded as wastes. The purpose of this study was to identify types and sources of residuals in Alberta’s agricultural and agri-processing industry. The study was also aimed at identifying commonly used residuals management technologies in the industry, factors affecting their choices, and the degree of importance attached to each factor in arriving at the final decision. The study involved a survey of twenty six farms and agri-processing companies all over Alberta. The survey was conducted by phone calls and by administration of questionnaire to the companies. Results from the study revealed that animal manure from feedlots is the major type of residuals from the industry. The manure is managed by applying it on farms for improved yield. In addition, the study revealed that residuals management decisions in the agricultural and agri-processing industry is a multi-criteria and multi-stage decision-making process. Moreover, provincial regulations, economic factor, and available technologies played significant roles in the choice of residuals management methods.},
     year = {2013}
    }
    

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    T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
    JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
    JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
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    AB  - Agricultural and agri-processing industries generate appreciable quantity of residuals. Many of these residuals are biodegradable and can be processed to other value-added products, but a number of them require special handling. Today, there is a wide range of technologies that can be used by agricultural and agri-processing industries in processing these residuals to value-added products at various stages of the process lifecycle. Consequently, these processing technologies reduces the amount of residuals that is discarded as wastes. The purpose of this study was to identify types and sources of residuals in Alberta’s agricultural and agri-processing industry. The study was also aimed at identifying commonly used residuals management technologies in the industry, factors affecting their choices, and the degree of importance attached to each factor in arriving at the final decision. The study involved a survey of twenty six farms and agri-processing companies all over Alberta. The survey was conducted by phone calls and by administration of questionnaire to the companies. Results from the study revealed that animal manure from feedlots is the major type of residuals from the industry. The manure is managed by applying it on farms for improved yield. In addition, the study revealed that residuals management decisions in the agricultural and agri-processing industry is a multi-criteria and multi-stage decision-making process. Moreover, provincial regulations, economic factor, and available technologies played significant roles in the choice of residuals management methods.
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Author Information
  • Environmental Science Department, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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