Life cycle assessment of energy saving and circular economy strategies: contributions to the environmental footprint lemon and by-product production in Argentina

Abstract

The vast majority of lemon production in Argentina is destined for industry, for the production of by-products such as concentrated juices, pulps, dehydrated peels and essential oils. As a result of the problem with the supply of natural gas in factories and the large amount of greenhouse gas emissions during harvest season, sustainable solutions have been adopted. Meanwhile, converting citrus wastes into value-added products is key to achieving a more sustainable supply chain. Biofuels produced from liquid effluents and pruning from orchards can be substituted for natural gas in factories to meet the energy demands. In this study, the primary objective was to assess the environmental impacts of the entire supply chain of lemon and its by-products (from planting and cultivation to harvesting, processing and marketing) in Tucumán, Argentina, under different alternative energy scenarios using a life cycle assessment (LCA). Overall, replacing natural gas with renewable fuels has a lower impact on production and reduces CO2 emissions by 80%. Biomass may be used for these purposes, provided that it represents a revalued waste and is not merely used for energy generation. Furthermore, it is recommended that the pruned biomass be obtained from areas without irrigation, which will reduce the water consumption load.