Waste4Soil - Improving food systems sustainability and soil health with food processing residues

Logo and plant plus LL text as illustrators
The project involves 28 partners from ten different European countries. Waste4Soil includes several innovative approaches: 1) Data collection, analysis, and information sharing in local and international collaboration, 2) Development, utilization, and implementation of innovative technologies, 3) Co-creation within the food value chain, and 4) Circular economy business models.



The project applies socially innovative process management through the living lab method to optimize current practices and technologies. These seven living labs serve as research platforms and enable “cross-pollination,” which accelerates the development of a smart, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system. The Päijät-Häme living lab is part of the project. In Päijät-Häme, data is collected on food industry side streams and soil properties in international collaboration, with samples tested and analyzed both locally and internationally in Spain and France. LAB conducts field testing experiments from 2024 to 2026 at the Salpaus campus in Asikkala and on private farmland. Crop yields are also measured, analyzed, and results shared internationally. Additionally, LAB organizes 18 workshops for living lab participants.



The ten-member expert group of the Päijät-Häme living lab represents a broad range of stakeholders: companies in fertilizer production and renewable energy, research institutions, political decision-makers, farmers, and representatives of civil society.
Project period
-
Project state
On-going
Project area
International
Project funding
Horizon Europe
LAB role
Partner
Unit
Technology
Project focus area
Multipurpose materials
Takes place in project
Objectives
The Waste4Soil project aims to develop applicable technical recycling methods by converting side streams from food production processes into soil improvers based on circular economy and systemic approaches.
Realisation of goals
The living labs will continue their activities after the project's conclusion as project actors and stakeholders. Bilateral cooperation has also become more established as a result of participation in the living labs.
Outcomes
The project includes numerous indicators that are regularly monitored: 10 Key Exploitable Results (KERs) related to processes and logistics, and 23 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to project outcomes. The performance indicators are grouped into four categories: 1) Quantities and growth percentages related to products and stakeholder participation, 2) Soil fertility, coverage of nitrogen and phosphorus needs using food industry side streams, and the number of adopting farmers 3) Number of participants from different stakeholder groups, and 4) Products, productization paths, business models, and identified investors by quantity.
Sustainable Development Goals

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Project managers
Anne-Marie Tuomala
Lecturer
anne-marie [dot] tuomalaatlab [dot] fi
Location