Are olive production facilities able to use the pits from olives?

[GON]

What do olive production facilities do, if anything with the olive pits?

I am not a fan of olives, except kalamata and small French olives. Kalamata olives with pits are significantly better tasting than pitted kalamata olives. Currently, almost all kalamata olives sold in the U.S. are pitted. If one searches, non-pitted kalamata olives can be purchased.

So, I wonder, what happens to the pits at an olive processing facility? Do they use the pits for feed for livestock, throw the pits away, or what?

 

[mrsilv04]

Olive pits, also known as olive stones, are a versatile and sustainable resource that can be used in many industries:

• Food
  Olive pit powder is a gluten-free and grain-free superfood ingredient that can be used in baking mixes, processed meats, health foods, sweets, and pet foods.
• Material science
  Ground olive stones can be used as a filler material in ceramics, coatings, composites, polymers, asphalt, and bitumen, where they can increase resistance, tensile strength, and lifespan.
• Energy
  Olive pits can be burned to generate heat, electricity, biogas, and biofuel.
• Artificial turf
  Olive pits can be used as a sustainable option in the production of artificial turf pitches and playing fields.
• Folk medicine
  Olive pits are used in folk medicine to relieve gastric disturbances.

 

[mk378]

There is some oil in the pits, so most processes to make olive oil start by crushing the whole olive including the pit. The residue of crushed pits becomes mixed into the waste stream that includes all parts of the olive that are not oil.

 

[GON]

There is some oil in the pits, so most processes to make olive oil start by crushing the whole olive including the pit. The residue of crushed pits becomes mixed into the waste stream that includes all parts of the olive that are not oil.

Is the "waste" from olives pressed for olive oil repurposed after pressing, like for hog feed?

 

[GSCJR]

Yes @GON, they turn it into olive pomace oil.
https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/grades/olive-pomace-oil/6210