Types of Waste:

• Discarded Leaves: Leaves that do not meet quality standards during the sorting process.
• Buds: Errors during plucking or over-plucking, leading to discarded buds.
• Tender Stems: Non-usable parts of the plant discarded during the plucking process.

2. Waste Management Strategies:

• Current Practices:
  • Composting organic waste to create natural fertilizers.
• Innovative Methods:
  • Biochar Production: Converting waste tea leaves into biochar for soil enhancement.
  • Animal Feed: Using discarded leaves and stems as feed for livestock.
  • Energy Production: Utilizing waste biomass for biogas or bioenergy generation.

3. Economic Impact:

• Financial benefits from reducing waste, improving efficiency, and generating potential revenue from by-products.

4. Cost Breakdown:

• Harvesting Costs: Includes labor, tools, and equipment for plucking.
• Processing Costs: Involves machinery, energy consumption, and maintenance.
• Waste Management Costs: Covers disposal, recycling, and waste treatment expenses.