Caracterização e gestão de resíduos sólidos na produção cervejeira: potencial de reaproveitamento do bagaço de malte

Abstract

The expansion of the Brazilian craft brewing sector has intensified the need for systematic analysis of solid waste generated throughout the production process, particularly in light of contemporary sustainability and environmental management requirements. This study aimed to analyze the solid waste generated during beer production in a microbrewery located in the metropolitan region of João Pessoa, Paraíba, identifying its characteristics, management practices, and valorization potential. A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive case study approach was adopted, combining direct observation, semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and bibliographic review in scientific databases such as Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Scopus, ScienceDirect, and the CAPES Periodicals Portal (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior). The results indicated an estimated annual generation of approximately 33.2 tons of brewer’s spent grain and 1.5 tons of trub, with an average index of 0.23 kg of spent grain per liter produced, consistent with international technical parameters. The spent grain is fully allocated to animal feed, a practice aligned with the hierarchy established by the Brazilian National Solid Waste Policy (Law No. 12,305/2010), preventing landfill disposal and potential methane generation under anaerobic conditions. The analysis further demonstrated that both spent grain and trub present organic compositions with technological and nutritional valorization potential, although such possibilities are not yet fully explored by the company. It is concluded that current management practices demonstrate initial alignment with circular economy principles; however, consolidation of quantitative environmental indicators, systematic documentation, and enhanced monitoring of trub are required to strengthen the environmental maturity of the enterprise.