Proposing a Generational Framework for Waste-Derived Fertilizers: A New Approach to integrating Sustainable Agriculture and Waste Management

Population growth, combined with expanded sanitation coverage, has resulted in a significant global increase in organic waste generation from municipal and agricultural sources. Simultaneously, the rising nutrient demands of agriculture to support a growing population and the widespread degradation of soils underscore the urgent need to integrate sustainable waste management and nutrient recovery into agricultural systems. These efforts are essential to restore soil health and ensure long-term productivity.

The growing market demand for sustainable products—driven by societal expectations and, in part, by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks in corporate reporting—presents a unique opportunity to capitalize on the sustainability benefits of waste-derived fertilizers. To streamline ESG reporting for both waste management and agricultural systems, we propose a structured framework that could serve as a standard for waste-derived fertilizers. This framework categorizes these products based on sustainability attributes, safety (e.g., contaminant and pathogen risks), and efficacy (e.g., performance in soils), while enhancing organizational efficiency and scalability to facilitate broader adoption in agriculture.

Drawing on insights from industry stakeholders across the value chain, this novel four-generation framework outlines the transformation or extraction of organic biowaste—including food waste, biosolids, and manures—into sustainable soil amendments (e.g., compost, digestate), high-value waste-derived fertilizers (e.g., struvite, urea), and innovative multifunctional fertilizer products. Generation 1 includes raw, untreated wastes like food scraps and manure, which require stringent regulatory oversight. Generation 2 features processed organic waste streams, such as compost and digestates, which primarily function as soil amendments with high application rates. Generation 3 focuses on bioengineered fertilizers, including organomineral and hybrid products, which achieve nutrient concentrations comparable to conventional fertilizers while maintaining sustainability through recovery from waste streams. Generation 4 highlights multifunctional products capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1, 2, or 3), sequestering carbon, and aligning with carbon farming frameworks, all while remaining effective as fertilizers.

This framework systematically categorizes waste-derived products, provides detailed examples and chemical compositions, supports ESG compliance with clear sustainability metrics, and promotes scalability, pollution mitigation, and enhanced soil health. It offers a transformative tool for embedding circular economy principles into waste management and agricultural production, addressing critical environmental and economic challenges on a global scale.