- Several experts in the field of circular economy, waste treatment and waste reuse participated in the event organised by LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 “Raising Awareness on Waste Reduction in Europe”, on the occasion of the European Week for Waste Reduction (EEWR 2022).
Last Thursday 24th November in the framework of the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR 2022) LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project held an online event “Creating an Awareness Community on sustainable waste treatment and waste reduction in Europe” organised by the Finnova Foundation. The attendees were able to learn about the good practices of waste awareness and waste treatment carried out by the invited actors, experts and specialists in the field of circular economy.
Juanma Revuelta, CEO of the Finnova Foundation, opened the event, highlighting his experience in European Funds and explaining the currently open calls for LIFE, Interreg and Horizon. After his speech, Carlos Lafita – Research and Development Technician at Global Omnium, presented the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project, explaining how its technology contributes to sustainable waste treatment and waste reduction.
The event was also attended by the Biomass – CAP project, presented by Joao Domingues, EU Innovation and Programmes Manager at FEUGA, who explained that “the main objective of the project is to optimise the exploitation and use of biomass”. Then, Antón Fernandez, representative for Ecoval Sudoe took the floor to present the project, “which is a great engine of change as it works on the promotion of the circular economy through the recovery of organic waste generated in urban environments” he concluded.
Another great project that contributes to the reduction and sustainable use of waste, and which was present at the event, is G2G Algae Solutions, exposed by the biologist and professor Nuria Egea. “This inspiring project works with the use of microalgae to obtain products and their use as a tool to solve problems derived from human activity, transforming waste into something new”. Next, Adrián Noheda – European projects technician at Finnova Foundation, represented the Interreg – HIBA project, highlighted the relevance of the programmes offered by European Union funding such as LIFE and Interreg in achieving circular and sustainable projects.
Caroline Sielfeld, Researcher at Eurecat, spoke about the contribution of the LIFE INFUSION project “in more sustainable waste management, focused on the circular economy, through the production of high added value resources from the waste effluents produced during the management of municipal solid waste”. Finally, Xavier Gamisans – coordinator of the LIFE BIOGASNET project, presented the project that “aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a technology based on the concept of circular bioeconomy for biogas upgrading, using waste effluents while producing reusable raw materials”.
All in all, it was a day where innovative technologies were presented, inspiring possible new projects and future collaboration, and where they showed their contributions towards solving the challenge of excessive waste production, the main objective of this European week.
If you missed the event and would like to learn more about it, feel free to watch it here!
About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0
The LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project, led by Global Omnium, whose partners are Finnova and Águas do Centro Litoral, develops innovative technology at scale, for the control and automation of co-digestion in WWTPs, producing green energy on demand. With this project, the consortium is working to prevent the loss of resources and energy contained in waste and sludge from WWTPs, which accounts for between 1 and 3% of the total energy produced in the European Union and represents some 10,000 GWh/year, causing the emission of more than 27 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
About Finnova
Finnova is a Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels (Belgium) with a presence in Spain in the Valencia region, the Basque Country, Andalusia, the Madrid region, Extremadura and the Canary Islands. The foundation works for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship at EU level and operates through collaborations and partnerships in all EU countries. Finnova’s experience in leading communication activities and dissemination of European projects is combined with a solid proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and incubators. In addition, it is committed to the training and employability of young people.
About Biomass – CAP
Cross-border project for R&D centres in Spain and Portugal. The aim of the previous project, Biomasa – AP, was to optimise the exploitation and use of biomass from pruning residues, scrubland, vines and kiwifruit. Biomasa – CAP, consists of capitalising on these results and extending the Biomasa Cross-Border Network.
About Ecoval Sudoe
It is a project co-financed by the Interreg Sudoe programme through the European Regional Development Fund, ERDF. Its main objective is to overcome the legal, technological, social and cultural barriers that allow the development of business models for the commercialisation of high added value by-products – volatile fatty acids and fertilisers – obtained from sewage sludge and urban bio-waste generated in urban environments in the Sudoe Area.
About 2G2 Algae Solutions
The main objective of the project is to apply microalgae cultivation technology to help recover and collaborate in the conservation of natural resources, in order to preserve the biodiversity of the planet.
About HIBA
The project’s main objective is the creation of a multi-regional ecosystem for accompanying Agro-digitisation, whereby cooperation between local innovation ecosystems and the multi-regional IHL network is crucial. Through digitisation, the aim is to favour an efficient, sustainable and joint management of resources, in line with the European Green Pact.
About LIFE BIOGASNET
The main objective of the project is to demonstrate a new cost-effective and environmentally friendly technology for biogas desulphurisation, based on biological processes, capable of obtaining a high quality biogas and valuable final by-products.
About LIFE INFUSION The project aims to recover energy, nutrients and water from landfill leachate and liquid digestate from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and to reduce its environmental impact on MSW treatment facilities.