New Report Highlights Revenue Opportunities from Horticultural Crop Waste

A recent report by Growing Kent & Medway reveals the untapped potential of horticultural crop waste, suggesting it can be transformed into high-value chemicals and materials. This approach not only offers new revenue streams for growers but also contributes to reducing the environmental footprint of the horticulture sector.​

Dr Nikki Harrison, Director, Growing Kent & Medway

The report emphasises that collaboration between food producers, scientists, and innovative bio-refinery businesses could enable industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and construction to benefit from crop waste materials like pomace, peelings, trimmings, and non-edible plant parts. These waste materials contain compounds that can serve as natural alternatives to chemical food additives and dyes, antioxidants for developing cancer-fighting drugs, and sustainable materials for construction and packaging.​

Dr Nikki Harrison, Director at Growing Kent & Medway, stated, “Finding new uses from parts of the crop we grow, but don’t currently use, not only helps create new markets and value for growers and farmers, but can also improve the environmental impact of our UK food systems.”​

Dr Rob Barker, Associate Professor in Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Kent and contributor to the report, added, “Horticultural residues range from high-value compounds, suitable for applications in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, to high-volume, lower-value materials that can be repurposed for bioenergy, biofertilisers, and compostable packaging.​

“As research and technology continue to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative applications for horticultural waste, driving a circular economy that prioritises resource efficiency and environmental responsibility.”​

He further emphasised, “This is not about redirecting crops originally destined for our plates to create moisturisers, this is about creating new products that make better use of the whole plant and any produce which can’t be sold, which costs growers money, time and resources to grow. It is about creating a circular economy for the consumer, the growers and our planet.”​

The report advocates for a joined-up approach to unlock these opportunities, fostering innovation and sustainability within the horticulture industry.