Çevresel Sürdürülebilirlik Açısından Tarımsal Atıkların Değerlendirilmesi

The agricultural production process is vital for providing food and raw materials; however, it generates significant amounts of waste from an environmental perspective. Various types of agricultural wastes, such as post-harvest plant residues, animal manure, processing by-products, and agricultural packaging materials, can adversely affect soil, water, and air quality and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions when managed by traditional methods. Nevertheless, when these wastes are valorized using appropriate technologies, they can be transformed into valuable resources that help reduce environmental harm and increase economic added value. In this context, the aim of this study is to demonstrate how agricultural wastes can be sustainably managed in line with environmental sustainability principles. In the study, the main agricultural waste types defined in the literature were examined; the potential of these wastes to be evaluated by methods such as composting, biogas production by anaerobic digestion and conversion into new generation products such as biochar production by pyrolysis were analyzed. Additionally, the relationships between waste management and environmental, economic, and social sustainability are evaluated through best practice examples from different countries. The results indicate that agricultural waste should not be viewed merely as a disposal burden but rather as a strategic resource within the framework of circular economy principles. It is emphasized that with policy support, farmer education, and appropriate technological infrastructure, this transformation can significantly contribute to both rural development and global environmental goals. Keywords: Agricultural waste, sustainability, recovery, composting, biogas