Organic Matter Database (OMD): Consolidating global residue data from agriculture, fisheries, forestry and related industries

Abstract

Abstract. Agricultural, fisheries, forestry and agro-processing activities produce large quantities of residues, by-products and waste materials every year. Inefficient use of these resources contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and non-point pollution, imposing significant environmental and economic burdens to society. Since many nations do not keep statistics of these materials, it has not been possible to accurately quantify the amounts produced and potentially available for recycling. Therefore, the objectives of the present work were to provide: (1) definitions, typologies and methods to aid consistent classification, estimation and reporting of the various residues and by-products; (2) a global organic matter database (OMD) of residues and by-products from agriculture, fisheries, forestry and related industries; and (3) preliminary estimates of residues and by-products potentially available for use in a circular bio-economy. To the best of our knowledge, the OMD is the first of its kind consolidating quantities and nutrient concentrations of residues and by-products from agriculture, fisheries, forestry and allied industries globally. The OMD and its associated products will be continuously updated as new production data are published in FAOSTAT, and this information is expected to contribute to evidence-based policies and actions in support of sustainable utilization and the transition towards a circular economy. The estimates in OMD are available only at the national level. Due to the lack of uniform methodology and data across countries, it was difficult to accurately estimate the quantities of all agricultural, fisheries and forestry residue and by-products. Therefore, we strongly recommend investment in the inventory of agricultural, fisheries and forestry residues, by-products and wastes for use in a circular bio-economy and as amendments.