A importância dos resíduos agroindustriais | Silgia Aparecida da Costa | TEDxErechim

Everyday habits, like drinking coffee, connect us to sustainability and the circular economy. Sustainable coffee farming minimizes resource use, reusing materials to reduce pesticides and balance ecosystems. Coffee grounds, a byproduct, can become fertilizer, compost, cosmetic exfoliants, or fabric dye. Similarly, sugar production from sugarcane agribusiness generates waste needing proper disposal. Our daily lives are filled with examples of waste utilization, from biofuels and bioelectricity to biodegradable plastics and cosmetics. Managing agro-industrial waste is crucial. For instance, sugarcane, a major crop, produces significant waste like vinasse, bagasse, and straw. Soybeans, corn, and oranges also yield substantial byproducts. Coffee production generates vast amounts of waste. Academic research focuses on finding applications for these waste products. Sugarcane bagasse and straw contain cellulose, which can be extracted to produce lyocell fiber. This fiber can be enhanced with chitosan, a byproduct of the fishing industry, offering therapeutic properties like antimicrobial and wound-healing action. Cellulose can also be converted into other polymers, such as cellulose acetate, used in nano-dressings with wound-cleaning enzymes. Furthermore, traditional cellulose processing can generate waste liquor, which can be repurposed. This waste liquor has been used to dye cotton fabrics, providing color and sun protection. It also exhibits effectiveness against harmful microorganisms. Utilizing agricultural waste presents innovative, sustainable solutions aligned with circular economy principles, addressing challenges like climate change and resource scarcity.