A life cycle assessment of biosolarization as a valorization pathway for tomato pomace utilization in California

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2017-01, Vol.141, p.146-156
• Main Authors: Oldfield, Thomas L., Achmon, Yigal, Perano, Kristen M., Dahlquist-Willard, Ruth M., VanderGheynst, Jean S., Stapleton, James J., Simmons, Christopher W., Holden, Nicholas M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioeconomy; Cattle feed; Circular economy; Pest control; Solarization; Tomato processor
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.09.051

The California tomato processing industry produced circa 388,856 t of tomato pomace in 2014. While currently used for animal feed, tomato pomace could be utilized for biosolarization. Primary Energy Demand (PED) and Global Warming Potential (GWP) equivalent emissions were calculated for two valorization pathways: (i) feed for cattle; and (ii) biosolarization. In order to make these two valorization pathways comparable three management options were analyzed whereby each part of the system was satisfied, i.e. a pest management sub-system and a cattle feed sub-system. The management options were (1) tomato pomace used for cattle feed and soil pest control using fumigant Telone II and herbicide glyphosate; (2) tomato pomace used for cattle feed and soil pest control using solarization; (3) alternative cattle feed (cottonseed, canola pellets and wheat straw) and soil pest control using biosolarization with tomato pomace. Options 2 and 3 result in a reduction of GWP and PED. Among management options, the GWP ranged from 64–98 kg CO2-e and 1502–2250 MJ for PED per t of pomace. The majority of impacts were beyond the tomato processors’ immediate control, therefore encouraging the diversion of tomato pomace to biosolarization may be desirable. Total savings per annum for biosolarization could be as large as 7.7 M kg CO2-e and 203,000 GJ annually. •Environmental performance of tomato pomace valorization was analyzed using LCA.•Among valorization options GWP ranged 64–98 kg CO2-e and 1502–2250 MJ for PED.•Tomato pomace valorization in biosolarization was found to better option than BaU.•Fuel used in irrigation and plastic tarp use are large contributors to GWP and PED.•Yearly savings in could be circa 7.7 M kg CO2-e and 203,000 GJ.