VALUEWASTE comes to an end

On the 31st of October 2022, VALUEWASTE closes after 4 years of work. The project comes to an end having contributed to the development of circular, sustainable and efficient biowaste valorisation schemes for cities across Europe.

The 5 challenges VALUEWASTE has addressed

The biowaste collection scheme challenge. Current biowaste collection schemes do not respond to today’s world sustainability & efficiency needs. Poor selective collection (23%)
The technological challenge. Technological upscaling is expensive (low TRL) & there are few relatable experiences to learn from.
The regulatory challenge. Regulation is not adapting fast enough to current technological developments, then again, it is key to paving the way to the market. Safety, standardisation & policy are core issues to tackle.
The feasibility challenge. Is a biowaste management solution ultimately feasible? Ensuring wide-scale application and replicability requires functional, sustainable and profitable business models.
The social challenge. The population has a limited understanding of the biowaste selective collection schemes and their importance: however, their participation is vital.

Key achivements

The biowaste collection scheme challenge. A new experience for the selective collection of urban biowaste was successfully launched in Murcia (Spain).
The technological challenge. Technologies for 3 combined value chains for biowaste valorisation have been developed and tested up to TRL7.
The regulatory challenge:
- CEN Workshop on “Key factors for the successful implementation of urban biowaste selective collection schemes”, Pre-normative document published.
- ROOTs Policy position paper: ROOTS – circular policies for changing the biowaste system
The feasibility challenge: great functionality and market potential (alternative proteins market).
The social challenge: 2 communications campaigns were launched in Murcia and 1 in Kalundborg. Results: clear increased engagement and involvement of the population with the selective collection of biowaste after implementation in Murcia; and increased curiosity & interest for biowaste-derived products both in Murcia & Kalundborg.