AREFLH is a partner on the WASTE4SOIL project “Turning food waste into sustainable soil improvers for better soil health and improved food system”. It aims at developing applicable recycling technical pathways to transform Food Processing Residues (FPR) into improvers, through a circular, system, and multi-actor approach. All food chain actors are involved at the regional level, thereby closing specific loops (nutrients, organic matter, water)

 

The project has launched a survey to better understand how different stakeholders perceive waste-derived soil improvers and other circular solutions for healthier soils and more sustainable food systems.
Understanding stakeholder perspectives is essential to identify the factors that may influence the future uptake of these solutions and to support the development of approaches that respond to real needs and expectations.

Three dimensions of social acceptance

The survey explores three key dimensions:
• Market acceptance
• Community acceptance
• Socio-political acceptance

The results will contribute to the Waste4Soil Project’s work on Living Labs, stakeholder engagement, business model development and exploitation planning.

Who can participate?

The survey welcomes responses from a wide range of stakeholders, including:
• Farmers and agricultural advisers
• Businesses and industry representatives
• Researchers and academics
• Policymakers and public authorities
• Organisations and associations
• Other stakeholders interested in circular solutions, soil health and sustainable food systems
Whether you work in agriculture, soil management, food systems, waste management, policymaking, research or related fields, your perspective matters.

Take part in the survey

Participation is voluntary, and the questionnaire takes only a short time to complete.
The survey is open until 15 October 2026.
Reply to the survey here.By sharing your views, you can help the Waste4Soil Project better understand stakeholder perspectives and inform its work on social acceptance, Living Labs, business models and exploitation.

How will the responses be used?

The survey results will be analysed by Savonia University of Applied Sciences and reported to the European Commission as part of Waste4Soil project reporting. Then, they will be presented in aggregated form.

Individual respondents will not be identified in project reports, publications or presentations. Further information on informed consent and the use of responses is provided at the beginning of the questionnaire.

For more information, you can contact Dr Tuomo Eskelinen, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Share your perspective and contribute to the future of circular solutions for healthier soils and more sustainable food systems!

 

Know more about Waste4Soil

• www.waste4soil.eu
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• X : @Waste4Soil

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• Access all AREFLH articles on the project

 

This project receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement Nr. 101112708.