EMS Project 4: Assessing Environmental Impact of Olive Oil Production

This report examines the environmental impact of olive oil production, particularly focusing on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste management. It explores the entire lifecycle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), from cultivation to disposal, highlighting the significant impact the food sector has on climate change. The study analyzes various stages, including field operations, fertilization, processing, packaging, and distribution, to identify key areas contributing to GHG emissions. The research also delves into current practices in Greece for treating solid and water waste from olive oil processing, evaluating methods to add value to the process through waste valorization. The report emphasizes the implementation of technical solutions, such as improved transport systems and the use of lighter bottles, to mitigate environmental effects and maximize benefits, ultimately aiming to promote sustainable practices and reduce the industry's ecological footprint.

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The opus of the global atmospheric and impact of climate stability has been altered by the
increase in the emission of the greenhouse gas. Also, climate change has highly been affected by
the food sector, since, its production lead to a large share of the anthropogenic emissions. The
olive oil industry, in particular, the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is highly exported in Europe.
Its general manufacturing process is hazardous if not taken care off.
The research aimed at evaluating the GHG emissions and energy consumption associated
with production of EVOO, produced in Perugia (Petak, 2013). The approach followed was a
cradle- to- grave. End results were useful in identification of strategies for mitigation of GHG
emission. Activities like field operations, fertilization and soil management, were considered in
the agricultural phase of the olive oil production.
The EVOO production undergoes the following process cultivation of the olive tree
entailing mowing, fertilization, pest and disease control, pruning and harvesting; production of
EVOO that is transport of raw materials to the mill, loading, de-branches, milling extraction,
spreading of coproducts, cleaning the machines, bottling and freezing; packaging, distribution
and the final disposal.
In addition, technical solutions were implemented so as to reduce energy consumptions
and GHG emissions. For instance, transport system was improved as air crafts were used to
transport the EVOO bottles (GISKey Environmental Data Management System, 2014). Hence,
methodologies applied like the LCA, orchard fertilization, use of lighter bottles, ammonia as a
coolant among others was aimed at ensuring that the effects of the GHG emissions to the
environment are mitigated, and its benefits maximized.

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A continuous upward trend characterizes the production of olive oil. Olives are the raw
materials that result in the production of olive oil. Also, olive–pomace oil is used for dietary
purposes, cosmetics, soap manufacturing and bio-diesel production is from a byproduct extracted
from olive production process called pomace. Cultivation of olive trees has been greatly
intensified in Spain resulting in the prompt increase of the production oil in 2010 to nearly 1.3
million tons.
A sequence of activities are involved in the process of olive oil manufacturing, like,
olives reception, cleaning of impurities, using water to wash, olives being crushed, paste
malaxation, extraction of olive oil, final centrifuging, storing, filtering and bottling.
Traditionally, the process was carried out through pressing, unlike today where the centrifugal
process is applied resulting to three by products: olive oil that is mixed with water for further
centrifuging; wastewater; solid waste. The two-phase decanters for olive oil production were
more applicable and environmentally friendly as it had two by products. Thus, having it
characterized by high humidity compared to the three phase. Pomace from both phases is
conveyed to the facilities of olive- pomace oil. Oil from olive-pomace undergoes the following
procedure: receiving and storing fresh pomace, drying the pomace, dry pomace extraction,
distillation, hexane-water concentration and its separation and the final storage of the oil.
Another product produced is pomace wood.
The research aims at recording and evaluating current practices in Greece so as to treat
solid and water waste obtained from the oil processing industry of olive, so as to add value to the
process by uncovering the opportunities through potential valorization derived from waste
streams and waste treatment. A four step method was used which entails: secondary collection of
data amongst active companies of Greek involved in the field of production of olive-pomace oil

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or olive; primary data collection relating to waste water and waste applied methods of treatment
in Greece done through visiting industries, questionnaires, official documents and telephone
communication; recording the data collected; currently applied methods evaluation for
wastewater and waste treatment generated from the Greek industries of olive oil processing.
Current methods applied in Greece for waste treatment are oil collection sedimentation,
acidity neutralization, and disposal the open of operation ponds (Calow, 2011). Application of
more advanced treatment methods results in better protection of the environment and additional
benefits like bioenergy. Also, in valorization and solid waste management are a waste product in
one industry is used as a raw material in another, thus, protecting the environment.
In an overview of both articles, the methods employed to curb the effects; GHG
emissions and the wastes from olive oil or pomace industries were essential as it ensured the
utilization of waste products and the reduction of their harmful effects through proper treatment,
thereby, leading to economic upgrade and the protection of the environment.

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Reference list
Calow, P. (2011). Environmental management. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
GISKey Environmental Data Management System. (2014). [Washington, D.C.?]: U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation.
Petak, W. (2013). Environmental management: A system approach. Environmental Management,
[online] 5(3), pp.213-224. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf01873280 [Accessed 15
Aug. 2017].
Sej-Kolasa, M. (2010). AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AS AN
INFORMATION SYSTEM. Economics & Sociology, [online] 3(1a), pp.101-118. Available
at: http://dx.doi.org/10.14254/2071-789x.2010/3-1a/8 [Accessed 15 Aug. 2017].