A Circular Bioeconomy Framework for Biodegradable Waste: Strategies and Opportunities

Biodegradable waste is commonly treated as a problem to be managed, but it can be a valuable resource when considered within a circular bioeconomy perspective. This article develops a practical and systems-based frame work for integrating biodegradable waste, ranging from municipal food scraps to wastewater biosolids, into valuable resources. It explores real-world strategies for transforming waste into value-added products, including composting, anaerobic digestion, biochemical conversion, and the creation of bio-based materials. The review also highlights key drivers and barriers, including technical, regulatory, and social factors, which shape the feasibility and impact of circular solutions. A visual model illustrates the full cycle, from identifying waste streams to reintegrating recovered resources. The paper also highlights case studies from Toronto, Milan and Brazil as examples of successful implementation. Overall, this paper emphasizes a pragmatic yet regenerative shift toward organic resource recovery aligned with sustainability and decarbonization goals.