Published July 1, 2026 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Organic Waste Recycling for Soil Amendments : Advancing Circular Bioeconomy and Soil Health Restoration

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ICAR- Indian Institute of Farming System Research, Meerut- 250110, Uttar Pradesh
  • 2. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel university of Agriculture and technology, Meerut- 250110, Uttar Pradesh
  • 3. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, (ANDUAT), Amethi- 227405, Uttar Pradesh
  • 4. Rani Awanti Bai Lodhi College of Agriculture and Research Station, Chhuikhadan, IGKV, Raipur, Chhattisgarh- 491884.

Description

The recycling of organic waste into soil supplements is an essential component of the circular bio economy, providing a long-term and regenerative solution to a range of environmental issues.  With growing global worries about soil degradation, decreased agricultural output, and an increasing volume of organic waste, this technique offers a way to convert trash into a valuable resource.  Organic resources such as food scraps, agricultural residues, animal manure, and green waste can be turned into nutrient-rich soil amendments by composting, vermicomposting, anaerobic digestion, or biochar synthesis. These additives improve soil structure, fertility, microbial diversity, and water-holding capacity, while also contributing significantly to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. This strategy not only decreases the need for chemical fertilizers, but it also diverts biodegradable trash from landfills, lowering methane emissions and contributing to a more sustainable waste management system. This closed-loop system, which is part of a circular bio economy, recycles biological resources, supports sustainable agriculture, and promotes local economic development by providing green jobs and lowering farmers' input costs. By incorporating organic waste recycling into agricultural and urban design, we can recover degraded soils, boost food security, and transition to a more resilient, low-carbon future. This strategy offers a comprehensive, scalable, and effective answer to sustainable land use and environmental regeneration.

Files

03. Organic Waste Recycling for Soil Amendments Advancing Circular Bioeconomy and Soil Health Restoration.pdf

Files (876.6 kB)

Additional details

References

  • 1. Adegbeye, M. J., Salem, A. Z. M., Reddy, P. R. K., Elghandour, M. M. M., & Oyebamiji, K. J. (2020). Waste recycling for the eco-friendly input use efficiency in agriculture and livestock feeding. Singapore: Springer Singapore. In Resources use efficiency in agriculture (pp. 1-45). [Google Scholar]
  • 2. Aguilar, A., Twardowski, T., & Wohlgemuth, R. (2019). Bioeconomy for sustainable development. Biotechnology Journal, 14 (8), 1800638. [Google Scholar]
  • 3. Ahmad, R., Jilani, G., Arshad, M., Zahir, Z. A., & Khalid, A. (2007). Bio-conversion of organic wastes for their recycling in agriculture: an overview of perspectives and prospects. Annals of microbiology, 57(4), 471-479. [Google Scholar]
  • 4. Alkharabsheh, H. M., Seleiman, M. F., Battaglia, M. L., Shami, A., Jalal, R. S., Alhammad, B. A. & Al-Saif, A. M. (2021). Biochar and its broad impacts in soil quality and fertility, nutrient leaching and crop productivity: A review. Agronomy, 11(5), 993. [Google Scholar]
  • 5. Alonso‐Almeida, M. D. M., Rodriguez‐Antón, J. M., Bagur‐Femenias, L. & Perramon, J. (2020). Sustainable development and circular economy: The role of institutional promotion on circular consumption and market competitiveness from a multistakeholder engagement approach. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29 (6), 2803-2814. [Google Scholar]
  • 6. Alvarenga, P., Palma, P., Mourinha, C., Farto, M., Dôres, J., Patanita, M. & Sousa, J. P. (2017). Recycling organic wastes to agricultural land as a way to improve its quality: a field study to evaluate benefits and risks. Waste Management, 61, 582-592. [Google Scholar]
  • 7. Anikwe, M. A. N. & Ife, K. (2023). The role of soil ecosystem services in the circular bioeconomy. Frontiers in Soil Science, 3, 1209100. [Google Scholar]
  • 8. Ansari, A. A., Ori, L. & Ramnarain, Y. I. (2019). An effective organic waste recycling through vermicompost technology for soil health restoration. In Soil Health Restoration and Management (pp. 83-112). Singapore: Springer Singapore. [Google Scholar]
  • 9. Ansari, A. A., Ori, L. & Ramnarain, Y. I. (2019). An effective organic waste recycling through vermicompost technology for soil health restoration. In Soil Health Restoration and Management (pp. 83-112). Singapore: Springer Singapore. [Google Scholar] 10. Bashi, Z., Rashi, B., Qadir, G., & Nisa, M. (2025). Green Manuring, Vermicomposting, and Composting: A Green Technology for Soil Health. In Organic Farming (pp. 241-281). CRC Press. [Google Scholar] 11. Biswas, S., Singh, S. & Bera, A. (2024). Regenerative Nutrient Management Practices for Enhancing Plant Nutrition and Soil Health. Springer Nature Singapore. In Regenerative Agriculture for Sustainable Food Systems (pp. 303-339). [Google Scholar] 12. Brichi, L., Fernandes, J. V., Silva, B. M., Vizu, J. D. F., Junior, J. N. & Cherubin, M. R. (2023). Organic residues and their impact on soil health, crop production and sustainable agriculture: A review including bibliographic analysis. Soil Use and Management, 39(2), 686-706. [Google Scholar] 13. Chatterjee, R., Gajjela, S., & Thirumdasu, R. K. (2017). Recycling of organic wastes for sustainable soil health and crop growth. International Journal of Waste Resources, 7 (03), 296-2. [Google Scholar] 14. Dey Chowdhury, S., Suhaib, K. H., Bhunia, P., & Surampalli, R. Y. (2026). A critical review on the vermicomposting of organic wastes as a strategy in circular bioeconomy: mechanism, performance, and future perspectives. Environmental Technology, 47(8), 1284-1321. [Google Scholar] 15. Dixit, M., Dhyani, B. P., Dutta, D., Ghosal, D., Shahi, U.P., Dhama, V., Kumar, S., Singh, S.P., and Kumar, S. (2024). Role of different level and combinations of organic Matter in Modulating Soil Enzyme Release and Functionality. African Journal of Biological Science. 6 (16). 1480-1491. [Google Scholar] 16. Fu, Q., Zhao, H., Li, H., Li, T., Hou, R., Liu, D. & Yu, P. (2019). Effects of biochar application during different periods on soil structures and water retention in seasonally frozen soil areas. Science of the total environment, 694, 133732. [Google Scholar] 17. Hiranmai, R. Y., Neeraj, A., & Vats, P. (2024). Improvement of soil health and crop production through utilization of organic wastes: A sustainable approach. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 13(1). [Google Scholar] 18. Ibrahim, M. H., Quaik, S. & Ismail, S. A. (2016). Introduction to organic wastes and its management. Springer, Cham. In Prospects of organic waste management and the significance of earthworms (pp. 1-21). [Google Scholar] 19. Kalita, G., Boruah, P. J. & Kalita, R. (2025). Nutrient Management in Organic Farming-Organic Fertilizers, Composting, and Nutrient Cycling. In Recent Strides in Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Farming (1): 87-100. [Google Scholar] 20. Khan, S., Irshad, S., Mehmood, K., Hasnain, Z., Nawaz, M., Rais, A. & Ibrar, D. (2024). Biochar production and characteristics, its impacts on soil health, crop production, and yield enhancement: A review. Plants, 13 (2), 166. [Google Scholar] 21. Kiehbadroudinezhad, M., Merabet, A., & Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha, H. (2024). Landfill source of greenhouse gas emission. In Advances and technology development in greenhouse gases: Emission, capture and conversion (pp. 123-145). Elsevier. [Google Scholar] 22. Kumar, S. & Pathak, D. (2025). Integrated Nutrient Management: A Simple Solution for Soil Health and Crop Production. NGA- 167-169. [Google Scholar] 23. Kumar, S., and Pathak, D. (2025). The Influence of Fertilizer on Soil Strength. Ecofarming (e-Magazine)., 5 (1), 9-11. [Google Scholar] 24. Kumar, S., Dhyani, B. P., Shahi, U. P., Singh, O., & Singh, V. (2025). Response of Different Organic Sources of Nutrients on Growth and Yield of Basmati Rice. Journal of Innovative Solutions for Eco-Environmental Sustainability, 168-168. [Google Scholar] 25. Kumar, S., Dhyani, B.P., Shahi, U.P., Kumar, S., Kumar, Y., Singh, A., Singh, O., Shivangi, Pathak, D., Pandey, P., and Singh, V. (2025). Growth Stage-Specific Response of Basmati Rice to Organic Nutrient Sources: Nutrient Dynamics and Uptake Patterns. International Journal of Environmental Sciences. 11 (23s), 6123-6135. [Google Scholar] 26. Kumar, S., Singh, S., Kumar, S., Tomar, T., Singh, A., Singh, O., & Prashar, D. (2024). Impact of different moisture regimes and sources of nitrogen on plant height and economic feasibility of wheat crop. International Journal of Research in Agronomy, 7(3), 219-222. [Google Scholar] 27. Lim, S. L., Wu, T. Y., Lim, P. N., & Shak, K. P. Y. (2015). The use of vermicompost in organic farming: overview, effects on soil and economics. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 95(6), 1143-1156. [Google Scholar] 28. Masullo, A. (2017). Organic wastes management in a circular economy approach: Rebuilding the link between urban and rural areas. Ecological Engineering, 101, 84-90. [Google Scholar] 29. Matisic, M., Dugan, I., & Bogunovic, I. (2024). Challenges in sustainable agriculture the role of organic amendments. Agriculture, 14(4), 643. [Google Scholar] 30. Muscat, A., De Olde, E. M., Ripoll-Bosch, R., Van Zanten, H. H., Metze, T. A., Termeer, C. J. & de Boer, I. J. (2021). Principles, drivers, and opportunities of a circular bioeconomy. Nature Food, 2(8), 561-566. [Google Scholar] 31. Odlare, M., Arthurson, V., Pell, M., Svensson, K., Nehrenheim, E., & Abubaker, J. (2011). Land application of organic waste effects on the soil ecosystem. Applied Energy, 88(6), 2210-2218. [Google Scholar] 32. Pal, R., Singh, S. P., Kumar, S., Kumar, Y., Singh, A., & Kumar, S. (2024). Growth parameter of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) under different integrated nutrient management practices in western Uttar Pradesh, India. Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 10(3), 495-504. [Google Scholar] 33. Pandey, P. R., Singh, S. P., Dhyani, B. P., Kumar, Y., Singh, A., Kumar, A., & Kumar, S. (2023). Impact of different nutrient management practices on the nutrient dynamics of wheat crop in western Uttar Pradesh, India. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 35 (19), 560-571. [Google Scholar] 34. Pandey, P. R., Singh, S., Dubey, S., Kumar, S., Singh, V., Mishra, H. & Tiwari, H. (2023). Assessment of soil microbial status under different land use system at various depth. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change, 13 (10), 603-615. [Google Scholar] 35. Pedrinho, A., Mendes, L. W., de Araujo Pereira, A. P., Araujo, A. S. F., Vaishnav, A., Karpouzas, D. G., & Singh, B. K. (2024). Soil microbial diversity plays an important role in resisting and restoring degraded ecosystems. Plant and Soil, 500(1), 325-349. [Google Scholar] 36. Prashar, D., Singh, A., Dhama, V., Singh, P. K., Kumar, M., Kumar, S. & Verma, G. (2025). Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Crop Yield and Soil Fertility: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International. 4 (2),16-22. [Google Scholar] 37. Sachan, K., Saxena, A., Kumar, S., Mishra, A., Verma, A., Tiwari, D.D. (2024). Urban Soil Health Check and Strategies for Monitoring and Improvement. Journal of diversity studies, 3(1),20-28. [Google Scholar] 38. Scotti, R., Bonanomi, G., Scelza, R., Zoina, A., & Rao, M. A. (2015). Organic amendments as sustainable tool to recovery fertility in intensive agricultural systems. Journal of soil science and plant nutrition, 15(2), 333-352. [Google Scholar] 39. Shang, Q., Ling, N., Feng, X., Yang, X., Wu, P., Zou, J. & Guo, S. (2014). Soil fertility and its significance to crop productivity and sustainability in typical agroecosystem: a summary of long-term fertilizer experiments in China. Plant and soil, 381(1), 13-23. [Google Scholar] 40. Sharma, B., Vaish, B., Monika, Singh, U. K., Singh, P., & Singh, R. P. (2019). Recycling of organic wastes in agriculture: an environmental perspective. International journal of environmental research, 13 (2), 409-429. [Google Scholar] 41. Singh, N. K., Sachan, K., B.P., M., Panotra, N., & Katiyar, D. (2024). Building soil health and fertility through organic amendments and practices: a review. Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 10 (1), 175-197. [Google Scholar] 42. Singh, P. K., Naresh, R. K., Reddy, M. B., Tiwari, H., Kerketta, N. S., Shrama, A. & Kumar, S. (2023). Irrigation management strategies to increase crop-water productivity and grain quality of direct seeded rice in North West IGP: A Review. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 35(16), 222-231. [Google Scholar] 43. Singh, R. P., Singh, P., Araujo, A. S., Ibrahim, M. H., & Sulaiman, O. (2011). Management of urban solid waste: Vermicomposting a sustainable option. Resources, conservation and recycling, 55(7), 719-729. [Google Scholar] 44. Singh, V. K., Malhi, G. S., Kaur, M., Singh, G., & Jatav, H. S. (2022). Use of organic soil amendments for improving soil ecosystem health and crop productivity. Ecosystem services, 12, 45. [Google Scholar] 45. Tiwari, H., Bhatt, R., Singh, P. K., Das, D., Vihan, S., Tomar, T., & Kumar, S. (2024). Micronutrients in the plant-soil-environment continuum: a comprehensive review. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 16(7), 171-178. [Google Scholar] 46. Urra, J., Alkorta, I., & Garbisu, C. (2019). Potential benefits and risks for soil health derived from the use of organic amendments in agriculture. Agronomy, 9 (9), 542. [Google Scholar] 47. Varshini, S. V., & Jayanthi, C. (2020). Organic Liquid Manures and Bio-Fertilizers: A Tool for Soil and Crop Productivity. Agricultural Reviews, 41(4),387. [Google Scholar] 48. Yoshida, H., Gable, J. J., & Park, J. K. (2012). Evaluation of organic waste diversion alternatives for greenhouse gas reduction. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 60, 1-9. [Google Scholar] 49. Yusuf, J. A., & Ojedokun, R. O. (2024). The role of bio-based innovations in circular economy: A biochemical and economic perspective. Journal of Medical Science, Biology, and Chemistry, 1(1), 21-27. [Google Scholar] 50. Masullo, A. (2017). Organic wastes management in a circular economy approach: Rebuilding the link between urban and rural areas. Ecological Engineering, 101, 84-90. [Google Scholar] 51. Bashir, O., Ali, T., Baba, Z. A., Rather, G. H., Bangroo, S. A., Mukhtar, S. D., & Bhat, R. A. (2021). Soil organic matter and its impact on soil properties and nutrient status. In Microbiota and biofertilizers, Vol 2: Ecofriendly tools for reclamation of degraded soil environs (pp. 129-159). [Google Scholar]