FROM WASTE TO RESOURCE: WOOD WASTE BIOCHAR FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Wood waste is a growing environmental and economic challenge particularly due to disposal costs and loss of recoverable resources in the European Union, with annual volumes reaching 50 million m³ and projected to rise to 59–67 million m³ by 2030. Wood residues, generated from packaging, construction, demolition, and industrial processes, remain underutilized despite their recycling potential. Contamination and inefficient management hinder sustainable reuse, yet literature highlights opportunities for energy recovery, material substitution, and biochar production as part of circular economy. This review synthesizes current knowledge, emphasizing environmental benefits, resource efficiency, and future directions for optimizing wood waste utilization.