L'AREFLH est partenaire du projet Waste4Soil « Transformer les déchets alimentaires en amendements durables pour une meilleure santé des sols et un système alimentaire amélioré »
Le projet vise à développer des filières techniques de recyclage applicables pour transformer les résidus de transformation alimentaire (RTA) en amendements, par le biais d'une approche circulaire, systémique et multi-acteurs. Tous les acteurs de la chaîne alimentaire sont impliqués au niveau régional, ce qui permet de fermer des boucles spécifiques (nutriments, matière organique, eau).
En juin 2024, le projet européen Waste4Soil était présent à la conférence ISPIM Innovation à Tallinn, en Estonie.
Les résultats du projet ont été présentés sous la forme d'un poster sur la défence des meilleures pratiques dans la valorisation des déchets issus de l’industrie alimentaire.
Cette valorisation présente en effet un grand potentiel pour le développement de nouveaux modèles commerciaux basés sur l'économie circulaire, qui peuvent avoir des impacts positifs sur la durabilité économique, environnementale et sociale.
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LAB University of Applied Sciences, a partner of Waste4Soil participated to the “ISPIM Innovation Conference : Local Innovation Ecosystems for Global Impact" from 9 to 12 June 2024 in Tallinn, Estonia,
During the Conference, the results of the project were presented in the form of a poster entitled “Defending the Best Practices in the Valorization of the Food Processing Residues". Indeed, there is great potential in the valorization of food processing residues (FPR) for developing new circular economy-based business models, which may have positive impacts on economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
Defending good practices for valorization
One of the key actions in solving the sustainability challenges related to the current food system is increasing the share of recycled fertilizing products. A solution for closing the loops can be found very close by, as the side streams generated in the food industry can be valorized among others, as soil improvers.
The Waste4Soil project (LAB UAS 2024) aims at developing sustainable and circular business models for the valorization of FPRs and turning those into soil improvers. In the initial phase of the project, the related existing good practices were surveyed by gathering information, e.g. from the results of previous projects. There are existing tools for evaluating the maturity of technical solutions, such as technology readiness level (TRL) and business readiness level (BRL), but there was no ready set of criteria for a broader review. By following the principles of the circular economy, financial benefits can be achieved, but the environmental effects can even be negative – or the other way around (Allwood 2014). Moreover, the circular economy concept does not always consider social sustainability (Geissdoerfer et al. 2017). A more holistic approach is required to avoid possible trade-offs.
Many good practices identified
The identified good practices that meet the defined criteria include technologies related to nutrient recovery and fertilizer production, such as anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis, but also newer technologies. Solutions for logistics optimization and smart waste management were identified as well. In addition, applications, platforms, and networks play a key role in connecting stakeholders, promoting collaboration, and enhancing knowledge sharing.
Networks have also great impact on enabling industrial symbioses. One great example of a circular economy solution is the waste management system at Jelsovce Distillery in Slovakia. The by-products from the distillery are efficiently utilized by different industries, enabling nearly zero-waste production.
Companies are interested in finding solutions
Agrifood group representatives (from the brewery and bakery sectors) who were interested in the identified good practices gathered during the ISPIM conference.
There is an interest in finding out the valorization possibilities for residues. However, money is often the deciding factor here. Although it is quite common for companies to have a sustainability strategy where environmental aspects are well addressed, there are still challenges in implementing actions on a practical level. The financial point of view is decisive, so the question is, how to create value for the by-products or waste? The fact that it is possible to process residue materials e.g., fertilizer use does not necessarily make it profitable from an economic perspective or environmentally sustainable. A case-specific assessment is usually needed.
The transition towards a circular economy and sustainable business models requires considering many aspects. The premise is developing feasible technologies and products that respond to market demand and are affordable to end-users. Legislation has a crucial role in assuring product safety which is especially important in the food industry. On the other hand, unclear and complicated regulations can be a major barrier to achieving systemic change. Furthermore, the use of recycled fertilizers can be associated with prejudices, especially if they are produced from the industrial side or waste streams. Sharing information for all the stakeholders about the examples of implemented good practices and success stories is a good starting point.
For more information read the complete article on Labopen.fi.
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Ce projet a reçu un financement du programme de recherche et d’innovation Horizon Europe de l’Union européenne dans le cadre de l’accord de subvention n° 101112708.
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