AREFLH has 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).
In the framework of the project, the partners ITENE (Instituto Tecnológico del Embalaje, Transporte y Logística) and IRTA (Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries) have collaborated on the monitoring device at the Catalonia Living Lab.
The monitoring device has been developed to track the logistics of the Food Processing Residues (FPR) as well as to analyze decomposition processes in organic waste. This device measures key gases such as ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), humidity, and temperature, providing valuable insights into the breakdown of food processing residues. Equipped with low-power GPRS communication, the device transmits real-time data to an online platform, allowing continuous monitoring of waste degradation and location.
In November 2024, the first demonstrator units were deployed in the Catalonia Living Lab (led by IRTA), where they have been undergoing testing in composting piles. These trials assess the device’s accuracy, durability, and adaptability to various environmental conditions. Following these initial tests, demonstrators are scheduled to be installed in waste containers during transportation in 2025, enabling data collection throughout the entire waste management cycle.
The deployment of these monitoring devices marks a significant milestone in the Waste4Soil project, as they provide a method for improving FPR logistics by analyzing organic waste decomposition and optimizing waste management strategies. By continuously tracking gas emissions, the system improves composting efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing the overall sustainability of organic waste treatment processes.
The monitoring sensor will be integrated into the GEMYO (Get MY Waste Out) platform and mobile app that is currently being developed by ITENE, WINGS (WINGS ICT Solutions Information and Communication Technologies SA ), and CERTH (Center for Research & Technology Hellas
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This project receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement Nr. 101112708.