Circular economy approaches in the dairy industry: strategies for waste utilisation and sustainable production

Jasna Lončina; Marija Kovandžić; Tijana Ledina

doi:10.18485/meattech.2025.66.3.37

Jasna Lončina University of Belgrade, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5198-5549
Marija Kovandžić University of Belgrade, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3853-8546
Tijana Ledina University of Belgrade, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9903-1477

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/meattech.2025.66.3.37

Keywords: dairy industry, waste valorization, sustainability, whey, bioplastic

Abstract

The dairy industry is a major part of the global agri-food system, associated with food production, but also with industrial waste and emissions. Significant amounts of whey, sludge, wastewater, and packaging are generated by the dairy chain. Effluents from dairy processing contain high loads of organic matter, suspended solids, fats, and nutrients. Circular economy principles offer the dairy sector an approach to transition from a linear to a regenerative model by transforming waste into value-added resources. Circular economy strategies applied in the dairy industry, including waste valorisation, energy recovery, nutrient recycling, and the use of biodegradable and recyclable packaging, can substantially improve the environmental performance of dairy systems, and contribute to sustainable development. The present work highlights the potential of circular economy access to transform dairy waste streams into valuable resources, contributing to environmental sustainability and economic resilience.