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

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.