10.57647/ijrowa-zdx6-np17

Sustainable methodical approaches to recycling sludge waste: value-added products, and their agricultural applications

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  • Abas Siraj Hamda1,
  • Tesfaye Kassaw Bedru2,
  • Mani Jayakumar*3,4,5,
  • Workisa Bacha Garuma1,
  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Haramaya Institute of Technology. Haramaya University, P. O. Box 138, Haramaya, Dire Dawa Ethiopia
  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Kombolcha Institute of Technology, Wollo University, P.O. Box 208, Kombolcha, Ethiopia
  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Haramaya Institute of Technology. Haramaya University, P. O. Box 138, Haramaya, Dire Dawa Ethiopia
  4. Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore - 641 021, Tamil Nadu, India
  5. Centre for Natural Products and Functional Foods, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore - 641 021, Tamil Nadu, India
Sustainable methodical approaches to recycling sludge waste: value-added products, and their agricultural applications

Received: 2024-04-29

Revised: 2024-08-05

Accepted: 2024-10-27

Published in Issue 2025-06-01

Copyright (c) 2024 Abas Siraj Hamda, Tesfaye Kassaw Bedru, Mani Jayakumar, Workisa Bacha Garuma (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Siraj Hamda, A., Kassaw Bedru, T., Jayakumar, M., & Bacha Garuma, W. (2025). Sustainable methodical approaches to recycling sludge waste: value-added products, and their agricultural applications. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.57647/ijrowa-zdx6-np17
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Abstract

Purpose: This review addresses the important global issue of increased sludge accumulation from wastewater treatment plants, which poses serious environmental challenges due to heavy metals and high levels of organic pollution. The study provides a thorough review of sludge-to-value-added product recovery methods, including anaerobic digestion, composting, vermicomposting, and pyrolysis.

Method: The review highlights recent advances and examines the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Given the significant loss of organic components before sludge generation, a unified strategy for value-added product recovery management is crucial, as the study emphasizes. Results: The study provides important standards for choosing the best technique for sustainable sludge management from a waste-to-resources standpoint.

Conclusion: The study shows sewage sludge's potential as a valuable organic resources with higher nutrient compositions (Nitrogen 2.5 - 5.5%, Phosphorus 0.8 - 2.5%, Potassium 1.5 - 3.5%, Calcium 1.2 - 4.5%, and Magnesium 0.3 - 0.8% respectively) and its possible uses in agriculture.

Research Highlights

  • Emerging investigation on recycling sludge waste to value added end products has been addressed
  • Progressive methods on sludge management have been articulated
  • Pros, cons and limitations of various sludge management practices were also addressed
  • Agricultural applications of value added products obtained from sludge have been discussed

Keywords

  • Agriculture,
  • Recycling,
  • Soil application,
  • Treatment practices,
  • Environmental impact
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