title: Valorisation of fish by-products against waste management treatments--Comparison of environmental impacts.
abstract: Reuse and valorisation of fish by-products is a key process for marine resources conservation. Usually, fishmeal and oil processing factories collect the by-products generated by fishing port and industry processing activities, producing an economical benefit to both parts. In the same way, different added-value products can be recovered by the valorisation industries whereas fishing companies save the costs associated with the management of those wastes. However, it is important to estimate the advantages of valorisation processes not only in terms of economic income, but also considering the environmental impacts. This would help to know if the valorisation of a residue provokes higher impact than other waste management options, which means that its advantages are probably not enough for guarantying a sustainable waste reuse. To that purpose, there are several methodologies to evaluate the environmental impacts of processes, including those of waste management, providing different indicators which give information on relevant environmental aspects. In the current study, a comparative environmental assessment between a valorisation process (fishmeal and oil production) and different waste management scenarios (composting, incineration and landfilling) was developed. This comparison is a necessary step for the development and industrial implementation of these processes as the best alternative treatment for fish by-products. The obtained results showed that both valorisation process and waste management treatments presented similar impacts. However, a significant benefit can be achieved through valorisation of fish by-products. Additionally, the implications of the possible presence of pollutants were discussed.
authors: Process Engineering Group, Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Eduardo Cabello, 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain; Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Lopes
authors: Process Engineering Group, Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Eduardo Cabello, 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain.
authors: Luis T
authors: LT
authors: Antelo
authors: Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Electronic address: amaya.franco@usc.es.
authors: Amaya
authors: A
authors: Franco-Uría
authors: Process Engineering Group, Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Eduardo Cabello, 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain.
authors: Antonio A
authors: AA
authors: Alonso
authors: Process Engineering Group, Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Eduardo Cabello, 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain.
authors: Ricardo
authors: R
authors: Pérez-Martín
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005398:Fisheries; D017745:Incineration; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D013030:Spain; D064091:Waste Disposal Facilities; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste
keywords: Environmental impact; Fish by-products; Risk implications; Valorisation; Waste treatment