📖 ABSTRACT/OVERVIEW
The Nigerian cassava processing industry generates substantial quantities of by-products and wastes including peel, press water, starch effluent, and bagasse, which are associated with significant environmental burdens. A circular economy approach that valorises these streams while minimising environmental impact represents both a sustainability imperative and an economic opportunity. This study conducts a comprehensive attributional and consequential life cycle assessment of the cassava processing industry in Nigeria, encompassing garri, fufu, high-quality cassava flour, and starch production systems across South East and South South processing hubs, and develops an original circular economy design framework for the industry. The theoretical contribution is a system expansion-based consequential life cycle assessment model that quantifies the environmental credits achievable through circular economy interventions including cassava peel biogas production, press water lactic acid fermentation, and starch effluent wetland treatment for irrigation reuse. Life cycle inventory data were collected from 15 commercial and semi-industrial processing facilities using a combination of direct measurement and material flow analysis. Environmental impact categories assessed include global warming potential, eutrophication, acidification, land use, and freshwater consumption using CML-IA characterisation factors. Results show that the circular economy scenario reduces global warming potential by 38 percent and eutrophication potential by 56 percent compared to the baseline. A Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis characterised the variability in life cycle assessment results arising from production system heterogeneity. The study represents the first comprehensive life cycle assessment and circular economy analysis for the Nigerian cassava processing industry. Keywords: life cycle assessment, circular economy, cassava processing, environmental impact, Nigeria
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