Case studies of waste minimisation on farms

摘要

In 1996 a research project was set up to investigate whether waste minimisation principles could be applied in agriculture. Information was collected on existing practices and disposal routes on ten farms: types included dairy, beef/sheep, intensive pigs and poultry, arable, mixed arable/livestock and field vegetables. Opportunities for waste minimisation were identified together with the farmer. On the 10 farms studied, a total of 50 new opportunities were identified. These arose from savings in wasted animal feeds, reductions in water and energy consumption, savings in purchased fertiliser through better utilisation of animal wastes, reductions in wasted crop produce in the field or store and potential for recycling some packaging.