Zero Waste Management to Increase Efficiency in Palm Oil Production and Processing for Food Security in Thailand

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the structure of palm oil production and government policies related to the stability of food consumption in order to meet the future demand in the next 20 years (2014 - 2034). Applying the principle of zero waste management, the study uses a market value approach by assessing the value of all remainders of oil palms. The remains of oil palms, such as debris, leaves, stem, and shell fiber, were valuated. These remains were converted to fertilizers. Organic wastewater from the crude palm oil production process is used to produce electricity. The value of these remains is approximately 919.35 million USD per year consisting of: (1) the weight of all debris, palm leaves, and shell fiber in Thailand is about 3.64 million tons per year, equivalent to 243.44 million USD of fertilizers; (2) the weight of palm oil trunks is 89,958 tons per year, equivalent to 6.00 million USD of fertilizers; (3) the weight of empty fruit bunches, palm fiber, and waste water is 2.86 million tons per year; equivalent to 191.21 million USD of fertilizers; (4) the weight of fiber and palm shell from crude palm oil extraction process is 7.13 million tons; equivalent to 476.85 million USD of fertilizers; (5) wastewater from palm oil mill is 9.62 million cubic meter per year; equivalent to 1.85 million USD of electricity. The total value of using oil palm remains is 919.35 million USD per year.

Keywords

• Zero waste management
• palm oil production
• food security
• oil palm
• palm oil