Industrial Symbiosis: Expanding Waste Reuse in a Brazilian Network of Agricultural Companies

Abstract

This article describes how to expand current symbiotic relationships in a network of rural and agro-industrial companies located in the Northeast region of Brazil, within the legal Amazon area. The specific objectives are to describe how companies currently route their waste and identify what type of industrial facilities could be attracted to implement new symbiotic relationships. The research used a case study approach that includes interviews with practitioners, guided visits, and consultation with relevant documents. Findings include the motivations for symbiotic relationships, the type of contracts in place among generators and recipients of waste materials, and systemic implications for the region. Motivation for generators to participate in a new network are compliance with local legislation and cost reduction for disposal, which is now partially dumped to landfills. Recipients are motivated to participate because it can lead to selling new products, mainly biofertilizers, manufactured with low-cost raw materials. This article provides a prescriptive overview of possibilities, including a biorefinery and a recycler's network that could interest local government and private agents. The biorefinery can produce and sell biofertilizers increasing crop productivity in the region, where it is below the Brazilian average. The biorefinery and the recyclers' network could bring new jobs to a vulnerable population as well as savings in public finances due to the reduction of landfill dumping.