New study reveals 13 smart uses for greenhouse waste
- jennyeriksson3
- May 21
- 3 min read
Updated: May 22
A new study by Atacama, commissioned by Arctic Food Arena, has identified 13 high-value uses for greenhouse waste – turning residuals into products in food, cosmetics, animal feed, and energy.
Building on the 2023 Green Cluster Pre-Study, the research assessed 36 possible uses of waste from four common greenhouse crops: cucumber, lettuce, tomato, and bell pepper. Thirteen were found to be the best fit for a potential implementation by 2028 in Gällivare.
Top application areas
Health & biorefining
Toners & masks (from cucumber and lettuce)
Bioplastics
Food processing
Concentrates, seed oil, purees, fermented foods, powders
Feed & farming
Insects, quails, snails, vermicomposting
Energy & soil
Biogas, biochar
Tomatoes and bell peppers are best suited for food products; cucumbers and lettuce for cosmetics.
Waste becomes resource
The study shows how greenhouse residuals can drive:
Sustainable products
Local protein and food systems
Closed-loop waste and energy solutions
It also highlights future opportunities in reindeer feed, herbs, plant-based proteins, and circular packaging.
Executive Summary: Gällivare’s greenhouse ecosystem 2028 – From residuals to added value
Study scope and methodology
The analysis focused on residuals from four greenhouse crops commonly suited for northern climates:
Cucumber
Lettuce
Tomato
Bell pepper
A baseline value chain was established, incorporating both inputs (water, CO₂, nutrients, heat) and outputs (second-grade vegetables, plant biomass, packaging waste, nutrient runoffs). Using this baseline, 36 applications were assessed for their circular economy potential, of which 13 high-fit applications were identified for implementation by 2028.
Key findings: 13 High-fit applications
1. Health & lifestyle (Biorefining)
Toners and masks (from second-grade cucumbers and lettuce)
Bioplastics
2. Food processing
Concentrates
Seed oil
Purees
Fermented food
Powders
3. Feed & farming
Insect farming
Poultry farming (Quails)
Snail farming (Heliciculture)
Vermicomposting
4. Energy & soil products
Biogas (Anaerobic Digestion)
Biochar (Pyrolysis)
Note: Tomatoes and bell peppers were assessed to have better food applications due to higher volumes, while cucumbers and lettuce fit best in cosmetics.
Strategic business opportunities for Gällivare
The proposed applications support:
Biorefining hubs for cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and bioplastics
Micro-farming of alternative proteins (insects, snails, quails)
Integrated waste systems (vermicomposting, biogas, pyrolysis)
Reindeer and aquaculture feed innovations
New crops for plant-based proteins, herbs, and spices
These solutions replace imports, diversify the local economy, and lay the foundation for a circular industrial base in Gällivare.
Green cluster development potential
The ecosystem shows strong potential to:
Connect 16 existing, 5 planned, and 20 proposed businesses
Create synergies between new and established actors
Generate local jobs and reduce import dependence
Support early-stage local entrepreneurs before external investors enter
Open strategic questions
Further exploration is needed on:
Can greenhouse crops further improve reindeer feed?
Is it viable to grow herbs and spices locally for food and cosmetics?
What plant-based proteins are best suited for cold-climate greenhouse systems?
How can circular packaging be integrated across the value chain?
The full database
Applications and Companies Database: Gällivare’s Greenhouse Ecosystem by 2028 – From Residuals to Added Value – is available on request. Developed within the Arctic Food Arena framework, it maps potential applications, evaluates high-fit uses, and identifies companies that could implement them locally.
Curious to explore the details? Email us – we’re happy to share the full material and answer any questions you might have.
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