The Piggy Solution: Harnessing Food Waste for Sustainable Hog Farming

Abstract

The increasing global population and concomitant rise in food demand lead to significant challenges in sustainable agricultural practices and food waste management. This review explores a promising solution to these challenges by examining the potential of utilizing food waste in hog farming as a sustainable feed resource. The paper highlights the environmental, economic, and social benefits of diverting food waste from landfills and repurposing it for livestock nutrition. Nutritional adequacy, safety, and regulatory frameworks surrounding the use of food waste in hog diets, as well as technological advancements and logistical considerations necessary for the widespread adoption of this practice, are discussed along with pilot projects that have successfully implemented food waste feeding programs, assessing their outcomes in terms of feed efficiency, animal health, and environmental impact. Using food waste as animal feed provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional feedstuffs. It also contributes to the global goal of reducing the food, land, and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation gaps by 12%, 27%, and 15%, respectively, by 2050. This practice will significantly lower the carbon footprint of hog farming by redirecting 45% of GHG emissions from conventional feed production to promote a circular economy within the agricultural sector. However, successfully implementing food waste feeding programs requires stringent monitoring and adherence to safety standards to prevent contamination and ensure animal welfare.