ZERO WASTE PRODUCTS

The concept "Zero Residue" implies the need to reach the end of the crop with a level of residues below the established maximum residue limits and with a quantity of detectable chemical substances that comply with the legislation, however, it changes the way in which we reach that concept since in the alternative ecological all inputs must be ecological (therefore, it is assumed that there will be no detectable residue at the end of the culture), however in the cultures Zero Residue, the inputs do not need to be organic, although the part dedicated to crop protection must control the safety deadlines so that the active ingredients are below the MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits) established by Europe (or by the supermarkets themselves).

common points between organic farming and Zero Residue They are clearly a commitment to sustainability, working with the ecosystem and not against it. The great similarity between these two forms of production is that both must reach the consumer. without any type of waste (insecticides, fungicides, herbicides...), but producing with an organic seal entails more restrictions, such as: neither insecticides nor fungicides of synthetic origin can be used, they must all be of natural origin, just as fertilizers must be of organic origin, non-mineral. Herbicides cannot be used either.

in the products Zero Residue, the only regulation is that the final product has no residueThat is, herbicides can be used in the same way as a conventional crop (as long as there are no herbicide residues in the crop), just as it can also be fertilized conventionally, with mineral fertilizers. Can synthetic plant protection products be used in Zero Waste? The answer is "yes". The The difficulty is how and when to apply them so that the crop is free of residues. To achieve this, it is important to understand the degradation of phytosanitary products and the phenological stages of the crop at which they can be applied. Of course, phytosanitary products approved for organic farming can also be used.

Those farmers who are able to manage their crops in Zero Residue They may choose to market their products through export or mass distribution, where residue controls are stricter than in local or conventional markets. This also usually leads to increased profitability.

The final consumer will not notice the difference, at an organoleptic level, between a product that is grown using Organic or Zero Waste management; the flavor or color of the final product may be due to a set of factors (climate, soil, rootstock, crop variety, etc.).

On the other hand, there are many products Zero Residue composed of active ingredients declared today as non-ecological due to its origin, However, they do not leave any harmful residue for the environment. That's where all these solutions come into play Zero Residue that complement the action of conventional products, often even replacing them.

Although organic farming is a very interesting path, the truth is that not all areas are so benevolent to do without conventional inputs, and for that reason we must play with certified products in Zero Residue that allow us to keep our crops in the best conditions.

Most agricultural inputs used in zero-waste farming are typically made from raw materials of natural origin.