Transformation of Biomass Waste into Sustainable Organic Fertilizers

Abstract

The management of solid waste presents a challenge for developing countries as thegeneration of waste is increasing at a rapid and alarming rate. Much awareness towards thesustainability and technological advances for solid waste management has been implemented toreduce the generation of unnecessary waste. The recycling of this waste is being applied to producevaluable organic matter, which can be used as fertilizers or amendments to improve the soil structure.This review studies the sustainable transformation of various types of biomass waste such as animalmanure, sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, and food waste, into organic fertilizers and theirimpact on waste minimization and agricultural enhancement. The side effects of these organicfertilizers towards the soil are evaluated as the characteristics of these fertilizers will differ dependingon the types of waste used, in addition to the varying chemical composition of the organic fertilizers.This work will provide an insight to the potential management of biomass waste to be produced intoorganic fertilizer and the advantages of substituting chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer derivedfrom the biomass waste.