A new study published in Resources, Conservation and Recycling evaluates the environmental impacts of various end-of-life treatments for hemp biomass generated during cannabidiol (CBD) production—and finds anaerobic digestion (AD) offers the most sustainable waste disposal option.
CBD extraction leaves behind roughly 90% of the hemp plant as waste, much of which is incinerated, composted, or landfilled. Researchers conducted a screening-level life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing these conventional methods to AD, which converts organic waste into biogas that can be refined into biomethane. The LCA modeled AD at two efficiency levels (60% and 100%) and also examined how hemp-derived biomethane would compare environmentally to traditional fuels like natural gas and propane used in CBD processing.
The results showed AD had the lowest environmental impacts among all disposal methods, making it a strong candidate for reducing the industry’s carbon footprint. However, when it came to energy substitution, natural gas remained the cleaner option compared to both biomethane and propane—highlighting a trade-off between waste treatment and fuel replacement strategies.
The study’s authors argue that while residual hemp has untapped potential for circular use, especially in producing energy, more work is needed to assess the full feasibility and environmental implications of on-site bioenergy systems within the CBD sector. The findings mark the first known comprehensive LCA comparing hemp biomass disposal options and examining hemp-based biomethane as an industrial fuel alternative.
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