Orange Peel Waste Valorization: An Integrated Assessment of Environmental and Economic Sustainability in Animal Feed Production

Abstract

This study examines the environmental and economic sustainability of producing a feed ingredient from waste orange peels (OP), for use in animal feed, focusing on two waste valorization strategies: one involving hydrolyzed and the other non-hydrolyzed OP. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodologies were employed to assess the environmental impacts and economic feasibility. LCA data were derived from lab-scale experiments and existing literature, using the ReCiPe 2016 (H) method to quantify environmental impacts per tonne of animal feed. Key findings show that hydrolyzing OP results in higher impacts compared to non-hydrolyzed variant, primarily due to the saccharification-hydrolysis process, though this difference becomes negligible at the animal feed production stage. Sensitivity analysis reveals that variations in input materials, except for transport distance—particularly for the non-hydrolyzed variant—have limited effects on LCA outcomes. Comparisons with business-as-usual scenarios (landfilling, composting and incineration) show that while waste valorization reduces environmental impacts, it does not surpass incineration due to energy recovery potential. LCC analysis indicates that producing non-hydrolyzed feed ingredient is significantly more cost-effective than the hydrolyzed variant. Overall, the LCA and LCC results suggest that while OP waste valorization offers notable environmental benefits, non-hydrolyzed feed ingredient production is the more economically viable option, contributing to sustainable feed production. This study highlights the importance of integrating both environmental and economic considerations in waste valorization strategies and provides guidance for waste management companies and animal feed manufacturers to support circular economy practices.