REUSEWASTE

"Recovery and Use of Nutrients, Energy and Organic Matter from Animal Waste"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The ReUseWaste network will i) provide new ideas and systems that lead to a major rethink in the current, established animal waste management systems, ii) train a group of 13 young researchers in developing new technologies for socially and environmentally sustainable utilisation of the valuable organic matter and nutrient ressources in animal waste and iii) provide companies with both improved and new technologies to produce bioenergy, ”green” bio-fertilisers and improved soil, water and air quality. Global livestock production is increasing rapidly, because of the increasing quest for animal protein by the increasing human population. Apart from the increases in livestock number, there are also major changes in the systems of livestock production. The increases in number and changes in systems have led to major concerns about the sustainability of these developments, especially from the points of view of animal and human health, animal welfare and environmental soundness. Evidently it is necessary for the agricultural livestock industry to develop new environmental technologies to meet global challenges related to environmental impact and sustainability. The industry needs to improve management and utilisation of organic matter and nutrient resources in animal wastes, in order to reduce gaseous emissions of greenhouse gases, ammonia and odor, and to improve energy output and limit the impact on soil and water quality. This multi-site and multidisciplinary ITN provides a unique opportunity for young researchers to obtain the knowledge and skills needed to develop and utilise new technologies for a socially and environmentally responsible management of animal wastes. The ReUseWaste network brings together major EU research groups from leading universities and research institutes, key agri-environmental technology companies and public authorities, from the countries and regions of most intensive livestock production in Europe.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Young EU scientists are investigating new and sustainable ways of utilising the contents of animal waste.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Global livestock production has grown dramatically to meet the human population's increasing demand for animal protein. Changes in production systems have resulted in increased pollution to the air, aquifers, surface waters and soil. Furthermore, there has been an uncoupling of the sites of animal production from animal feed production as a result of intensive farming. This has led to surplus amounts of manure in livestock production areas.

To solve these problems, the livestock industry must develop new technologies to reduce environmental impacts of manure surpluses and improve sustainability. The http://www.reusewaste.eu/ (REUSEWASTE) (Recovery and use of nutrients, energy and organic matter from animal waste) project was established to address these challenges. Its aim is to train young scientists in new technologies for improved and sustainable recovery and use of energy, organic matter and nutrient resources in manure.

Project partners, drawn from the most livestock-intensive regions of Europe, collaborate with 13 young research fellows. The young scientists are working on developing and enhancing new and established technologies for the production of bioenergy, environmentally friendly fertilisers, and improved soil, water and air quality. Research focuses on manure characterisation, treatment technologies and management, energy and nutrient recovery, and land recycling.

Examples of work conducted include a new way to predict carbon mineralisation dynamics for large numbers of organic waste samples and new strategies for slurry acidification. The successful gasification of poultry litter and pig manure was also carried out at the pilot scale, producing char and ashes for use in plant fertilisation trials. Researchers also investigated the effect of different slurry treatments on maize production and quality as well as the drying of separated manure solids with acidification to improve fertiliser value.

REUSEWASTE provides the research fellows with a unique opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills needed to exploit new technologies for managing animal wastes. This has included both scientific and complementary skills, such as project planning and management, intellectual property rights and patenting, and research ethics. This will pave the way for promising research careers and benefit the European economy and research environment.