Repurposing the by-products of alcoholic beverage industries: A circular economy framework to reach sustainable development goals

The alcoholic beverage industry has a significant role in the global economy and culture. As a part of beverage production, substantial solid and liquid by-products are also generated in parallel streams to the beverage. The by-products, viz. spent grains, pomace, and yeast slurry, have conventionally been treated as waste streams, leading to environmental concerns and resource inefficiency. The paper reviews a choice of pathways for the sustainable management of by-products generated by brewery, distillery, and winery. It offers an integrated circular economy framework to repurpose these by-products to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The alignment of sustainable practices in the alcoholic beverage industry directly correlates with the SDGs, particularly those related to the zero hunger (SDG 2), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). Potential benefits of repurposing alcoholic beverage by-products into high-value food products, animal feed, antioxidants, polyphenols, and renewable energy sources have also been assessed. Prospectives of the alcoholic beverage industry by-products as valuable resources that can contribute to a more sustainable and circular approach to production and consumption have been underlined. Incorporation of these practices would not only help to minimize the environmental footprint of beverage industry but also make significant strides towards achieving key sustainable development goals, ultimately benefiting society and the planet.