Abstract
Billions of tons of avocado waste are generated annually from consumption and food-processing industries. This waste has high organic content and moisture, and its storage and transportation are challenging. Biorefineries offer a promising solution by converting waste into valuable products while reducing environmental impacts. However, the environmental performance of avocado waste biorefineries in southern Colombia remains unclear. In this study, a biorefinery was designed to produce starch and two biofilms from avocado waste. Environmental performance was assessed using the Waste Reduction Algorithm Graphical User Interface (WARGUI), considering eight indicators related to toxicological and atmospheric impacts based on the Potential Environmental Impact (PEI). The novelty of this work lies in the implementation of an integrated multiproduct system for the optimal utilization of avocado biomass cultivated in this region of Colombia. Results show that the energy source significantly influences environmental impact, with higher values observed when coal is used compared to gas or liquid fuels. The impact per unit mass remained nearly constant (1.16 PEI/kg), indicating process stability, while the total impact per unit time (20.38 PEI/h) varied, especially at the process outlet. Energy consumption and product type were the main contributors to environmental impact.
