Assessment of Olive Oil Extraction Methods and Waste Management Practices in the Fez-Meknes Region: A Survey Study

Abstract

Olive oil production is a key agro-food sector in Morocco, with olive cultivation serving as an essential socio-economic pillar. However, the olive milling process generates substantial quantities of biowaste, including olive pomace and olive mill wastewater, posing serious environmental and economic challenges. Ensuring the sustainable management of this waste throughout the olive oil production chain is therefore critical. This study, based on a survey of 855 individuals working in the olive oil industry in the Fez-Meknes region, aims to assess the extraction methods used, the quantity of waste generated, and the waste management practices adopted by local mills. It also explores potential applications and valorization pathways for olive oil by-products, intending to enhance sustainability, increase the value of these residues, and protect the environment. The findings indicate a trend toward modern extraction technologies, often combined with traditional methods to preserve oil quality. Olive oil yield ranges from 20% to 30%, depending on the extraction technique, while waste outputs consist of 40% to 50% solid waste and 50% to 70% liquid effluents. The study highlights promising applications for these by-products, including energy production, composting, and the development of high-value compounds. These alternatives could help reduce the environmental burden of olive mill waste and contribute to a circular bioeconomy. Nevertheless, implementation of efficient reuse and recovery strategies remains a significant challenge and an opportunity for increasing both environmental sustainability and economic returns in the sector.