Integrated strategic approach for reusing olive oil extraction by-products

Olive oil production is generally connected to the generation of a number of adverse environmental problems. Integrated solutions using various clean technologies within the production processes and the development of new wastewater treatment technologies in connection with by-product utilization approaches can dramatically reduce these problems. In the present study, an integrated solution is presented, based upon results derived from a pilot-plant scale study. According to the results of this study, a 50% decrease in wastewater production from the 3-phase olive oil extraction process was achieved. In addition the implementation of a Fenton oxidation process led to wastewater detoxification with a possible parallel extraction of commercial-value anti-oxidant products. Furthermore, high-quality compost from the solid residues was produced and applied to the soil of the olive orchards. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.