The role of livestock in circular agriculture and waste valorisation

Abstract

Circular agriculture has emerged as a promising framework for addressing the inefficiencies and environmental pressures associated with conventional food production systems. Within this context, livestock systems can play a transformative role by enabling waste valorisation, enhancing nutrient recycling, and improving overall resource-use efficiency. This review critically examines the multifunctional role of livestock in circular agriculture, with a particular focus on their capacity to convert non-human-edible biomass, such as crop residues, agro-industrial by-products, and food waste, into high-value animal-sourced foods. Drawing on the recent literature, the analysis explores how livestock systems can be reconfigured to utilise non-human-edible biomass, including crop residues, agro-industrial by-products, and food waste, thereby reducing competition between feed and food while enhancing sustainability outcomes. The findings highlight that livestock can function as biological upcycles, converting low-value materials into high-quality animal products, while also contributing to closed nutrient loops through manure management and integration with crop production. Additional benefits include the generation of renewable energy through anaerobic digestion and improved economic resilience through diversified outputs. However, the extent of these benefits depends on system design, management practices, and regional context. Despite their potential, circular livestock systems face challenges related to greenhouse gas emissions, regulatory constraints, economic feasibility, and knowledge gaps. These challenges highlight the need for a systems-based evaluation that accounts for environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The study concludes that livestock can contribute meaningfully to sustainable food system transitions when aligned with circular principles, but their role must be critically assessed to avoid burden-shifting and unintended environmental impacts