Olive Oil Industry’s Waste Valorization Towards Sustainability

This book explores the olive oil industry’s role in sustainable development through the recovery and valorization of production wastes. It presents innovative strategies for managing liquid and solid byproducts, such as olive mill wastewater and olive pomace, emphasizing green technologies and circular economy principles in agri-food systems. The book examines current physicochemical and biological treatment methods for olive mill wastewater, highlighting approaches to reclaim valuable bioactive compounds. For solid waste, particularly olive pomace, it details the conversion into bioplastics and biopolymers with applications in active food packaging, superabsorbent hydrogels, and advanced materials. These solutions demonstrate how waste recovery can drive eco-innovation and resource efficiency. In addition to technological insights, the book addresses regulatory frameworks, implementation challenges, and gaps in current practices. It includes case studies showcasing successful models that integrate environmental engineering, materials science, and industrial biotechnology, offering practical guidance for future research and development. Providing both Mediterranean and global perspectives, this work aims to reduce the environmental impact of olive oil production while creating economically viable opportunities for olive-producing regions. This book is intended for researchers, engineers, graduate students, policymakers, and professionals in environmental science, waste management, sustainable materials, and agricultural engineering.