Program 2026

Reliable measurement of food loss and waste (FLW) is essential for monitoring progress toward policy targets and informing effective interventions. Within the European Union, recent revisions to the Waste Framework Directive introduce binding reduction targets requiring member states to reduce food waste by 10% in processing and manufacturing and by 30% per capita at retail and consumption levels by 2030. Achieving these targets requires monitoring systems capable of detecting relatively small changes in waste generation over time. However, current evidence suggests that such precision may not yet be achieved in many monitoring systems. This paper examines whether existing policy frameworks and measurement practices are sufficiently detailed and robust to track the reductions implied by EU targets. Specifically, it investigates whether the available quantification approaches allow for the detection of annual changes consistent with the required trajectory toward a 30% reduction by 2030. Sweden is used as an illustrative case study because it is among the countries that have progressed relatively far in developing national food waste monitoring systems. By analysing the methodology applied in Swedish data collection practices, the study examines how food waste data are generated and how uncertainty in the underlying data affects estimates of food waste. This enables an assessment of the variability and robustness of current measurements, and whether their precision is sufficient to verify that reductions have actually occurred and reliably track progress towards policy targets.

Food waste prevention requires coordinated action across institutions, businesses and local communities. This paper presents Latvia’s emerging multi-level approach to food waste reduction developed by Ministry of Climate and Energy within the LIFE Waste to Resources IP project, combining systemic interventions in food service sectors with community-based initiatives aimed at changing consumption practices. A major challenge identified during the project was limited engagement of the HoReCa sector in food waste measurement activities. While separate food waste collection introduced in Latvia in 2024 created new opportunities for monitoring, participation from catering businesses remained difficult to achieve. To address this gap, the project developed Guidelines for Food Waste Reduction in the HoReCa and School Catering Sectors. The guidelines provide practical recommendations on food waste measurement, menu planning, procurement, storage management, portion optimisation, plate waste monitoring and staff engagement. In addition to targeting existing businesses, the project seeks to reach future professionals through cooperation with vocational education institutions training chefs and catering specialists, helping embed food waste prevention principles into professional practice from the outset.
In the school catering sector, food waste prevention is increasingly recognised as a systemic issue requiring coordinated action beyond kitchen operations. Through the School Catering Council established under the Ministry of Agriculture, discussions are underway on reviewing the entire school meal system, from public procurement requirements and menu planning to food service delivery and waste reduction measures. The guidelines developed within the project provide a practical framework supporting this broader policy process and contribute to the dissemination of good practices across municipalities and educational institutions. Complementing these institutional measures, the project supports innovative community-based action through the campaigns #CēsisNeizmet (“Cēsis doesn’t throw away”) and #CēsisDalās (“Cēsis shares”) implemented by Cēsis Municipality. As one of the first initiatives of its kind in Latvia, the campaign mobilises residents, businesses, schools, social services and civil society organisations around a shared goal of preventing food waste and redistributing surplus food. The initiative demonstrates how local communities can build collective responsibility, strengthen social solidarity and actively contribute to the ambition of making Cēsis the first zero-waste municipality in Latvia. Preliminary results indicate growing stakeholder engagement, improved awareness of food value and stronger cooperation between public institutions, educational institutions, businesses and local communities. The Latvian experience demonstrates that effective food waste prevention requires both systemic change and community ownership. By combining institutional guidance, policy development and grassroots action, the presented approach offers a transferable model for accelerating food waste reduction across European food systems.

The role of innovations in achieving targets of FW reduction is highly recognised (Aramyan et al., 2021), especially when they are integrated in policy and organisational frameworks (Carvalho  et al., 2025). In this study, a PRISMA-based systematic review methodology is applied in the study, combining multiple information sources, including peer-reviewed scientific literature and European research and innovation projects. The objective of the review is to identify innovations against FW that have been empirically tested and for which evidence of efficacy in reducing FW is available. The scientific literature review starts from a batch of 3,012 scientific articles (keywords considered: innovation, intervention, valorisation, food waste and food loss and similar terms). Following title screening, articles unrelated to FW reduction or focused exclusively on waste treatment are excluded, leaving 939 publications (31%) for further assessment. The eligibility of these publications is evaluated along the following criteria: studies have to describe empirically tested innovations, provide a measure of efficacy, and focus on FW prevention, including prevention at source, redistribution, animal feeding and industrial uses. Eligible publications are inputted in Notebook LM to support systematic data extraction. In parallel, another systematic assessment is focused on EU-funded research projects funded under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programmes. Using the keyword “food waste”, 378 projects are identified in the CORDIS database, and their objectives are screened to search keywords related to FW innovation or valorisation. For the 138 selected projects, all public deliverables are retrieved where available, resulting in 47 projects with accessible documentation. After excluding 5 projects that don’t report tested actions, 42 projects are retained for detailed analysis, and their deliverables are inputted in Notebook LM. Using Notebook LM, we build a list of 500+ innovations reporting description, innovation type, level of the FW hierarchy, supply chain stage, sector or product category, involvement of start-up, methods and outcomes to assess effectiveness. Findings show a strong predominance of technological innovations, representing 76% and 67% of the listed innovations from literature and projects, respectively. Innovations coming from literature review mostly address recycling (37%) and industrial uses (38%), while innovations tested during projects are more focused on prevention at source (43%). The results also underline the need to accompany the development of innovations with assessment of their efficacy (Goossens et al., 2019) to achieve the intended FW reduction targets.Overall, current research efforts remain concentrated on downstream valorisation options rather than on preventing food waste at source (Giordano et al., 2020). This database will be further used in the project to support the design of evidence-based FW reductions scenarios, which will serve to understand the possible contribution of actions against FW to achieving EU climate objectives.

The issue of food loss and waste (FLW) encompasses social, environmental, and economic dimensions, which is why it is addressed at both the European Union and Member State levels. One of the key steps in this effort was the European Waste Directive 2018/851 and Delegated Decision 2019/1597, which defined the concept of food waste and established the minimum requirements for its measurement in the EU, mandatory for Member States. However, this European legislation on food waste measurement does not cover the entire agri-food chain, as it begins at the post-harvest stage, leaving earlier stages unmonitored and the magnitude of the problem unknown. This gap is intended to be addressed with the introduction of the Food Loss Definitional Framework for the European Union, which is also referenced in the revised Waste Framework Directive 2025/1892. Accordingly, this document aims to provide substance to a concept that is not yet fully consolidated in European legislation, and which has been part of the European FOLOU project (HE FOLOU Project, 2023). Throughout this presentation, this definition is analysed in detail, both at the semantic level and in terms of key parameters. Accordingly, FL includes: Stages: encompassing the sub-stages of pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest; Material type: including both the edible and inedible parts; Intention: products whose original intention was human consumption; Utilization: if the final product destination is put back into the ground, composted on-farm, incinerated on-farm, discarded at sea, or managed as waste by a company without a waste management license. This general framework has been tested with various real case studies to assess its alignment with this new concept at the European level. Accordingly, the following main food categories are considered to fully align with the general framework: Fruits and vegetables; Cereals and pulses; Roots, tubers, and oilseeds; Aquaculture products. Only meat and dairy products have required adjustments to the general framework to accommodate their specific characteristics. With all of this, the aim is to present a definition of food loss that is fully aligned with the already established European Union concept of food waste, avoiding both overlaps and gaps between them, and thus allowing the analytical framework to extend to stages prior to post-harvest. This approach facilitates a more holistic analysis and understanding of the problem across the entire system. Moreover, this concept aligns with the FAO definition of food loss (FAO, 2019), used for SDG 12.3, analysing their interrelations to adapt it for the EU context and facilitate comparability and synergies.

Food loss (FL) in primary production is often overlooked in studies and policy, largely due to scarce primary data and collection complexity. In the European Union (EU), this gap was intensified by the lack of a formal FL definition, which excluded discards occurring prior to the post-harvest stage from quantification. The issue’s growing relevance (WWF, 2021), and EU policy interest – reflected in the latest EU Directive 2025/1892, which extends reduction targets to other supply chain stages – highlights the need for robust quantification methods. In response, this study proposes a new standardized methodology to quantify food loss for the horticultural sector in the EU. This research emerges from the EU FOLOU project (2023), for which on-field measurements were conducted from 2023 to 2025 in Catalonia (Spain). The objective was to quantify food losses in the fruit and vegetables sectors across the pre-harvest and harvest stages, while understanding their underlying causes. To identify potential points of food loss generation, the methodology applied the statistical classification of economic activities in the European Community (NACE Code), following the Delegated Decision 2019/1597, and the Classification of Products by Activities (CPA). Once the economic activities with the potential to generate FL were identified, the following data were collected for each crop type: the extent of the utilized agricultural area (UAA) in hectares, production volume, number of farms and economic value. These parameters enabled the identification and prioritization of the 10 most relevant crop types for quantification. In total, 41 on-field food loss measurements were conducted across different production systems (conventional, organic and agroecological). For each field, between 1-10% of its surface was sampled in accordance with the methodology. The sampling data were extrapolated to estimate total FL in each plot according to the following parameters: FL per plot (kg), FL per plot per ha (kg/ha), and FL index (FL/Yield + FL). Additionally, the analysis of FL causes allowed to distinguish three types of discarded products in each plot: edible and marketable; edible but not marketable; non-edible and non-marketable. The data across plots were then statistically analysed to identify differences in the FL magnitude and category by crop type and production system. The collected data also enabled an estimation of FL for Catalonia, providing a regional overview of potential losses for the fruit and vegetable sector. Ultimately, the results demonstrate the feasibility of measuring food losses occurring prior to the post-harvest stage, by providing data across different food commodities, providing robust information that improves understanding of the problem and supports actions aimed at its minimization. Furthermore, presenting figures according to international coding standards enables comparability of results and the generation of synergies across studies, contributing to the transition towards more sustainable food systems.

Household food waste represents one of the most significant sustainability challenges in Europe, accounting for nearly half of all edible food waste generated across the food system. Despite growing public awareness, food waste behaviours remain strongly embedded in everyday routines, contextual decision-making processes, and implicit perceptions surrounding food quality and acceptability. Within this context, the NAFW (Nudges Against Food Waste) project investigates how behavioural science approaches may support more effective household food waste prevention strategies. Implemented across five European countries (France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and Sweden), the project combines stakeholder consultations and a large-scale consumer survey (n = 5,000). The survey integrates self-reported attitudes and perceptions, realistic behavioural scenarios, and an Implicit Association Task (IAT) focused on beauty bias toward imperfect food products. This methodological design enables the analysis of food waste behaviours across multiple levels of cognition and practice, capturing not only self-reported attitudes, but also contextualized behavioural choices and implicit associations. A Multiple Correspondence Analysis followed by Hierarchical Clustering identified four distinct consumer profiles structured around two main dimensions: food valorisation and behavioural control. The results demonstrate that low food waste outcomes may emerge through different behavioural pathways. While “Proactive Consumers” rely on anticipatory planning and highly structured food management practices, “Adaptive Consumers” achieve similarly low waste levels through reactive adaptation, flexibility, and preservation-oriented routines. Conversely, “Passive Consumers” display lower engagement in active food management, whereas “Rule-Based Consumers” combine stricter standards around freshness, appearance, and perceived food safety with lower tolerance toward food imperfections. Particular attention was paid to beauty bias and the acceptance of aesthetically imperfect products. The IAT results indicate that slightly damaged fruits and vegetables elicited weaker safety associations and stronger negative taste associations than perfect produce. However, the relative subtlety of these effects suggests that consumer perceptions of imperfect food are not fully polarized and may remain responsive to contextual influences and framing interventions. Furthermore, both perfect and imperfect products displayed similarly negative associations with “artificialness,” pointing toward the potential importance of naturalness framing in shaping acceptance. This hypothesis was further explored through scenario-based behavioural testing. When imperfect potatoes were presented with a “100% natural” nudge at point of purchase, acceptance increased across all consumer profiles. These findings suggest that consumer responses to imperfect produce are highly context-dependent and can be significantly influenced by relatively subtle framing interventions. More broadly, the results highlight the potential of behavioural nudges targeting perceptions of naturalness, normality, and food value to reduce the rejection of aesthetically imperfect products. Overall, the findings underline the limitations of awareness-based approaches alone and support the need for more targeted, segmentation-based interventions accounting for the diversity of household food management styles, implicit perceptions, and contextual decision-making processes shaping food waste behaviours.

Effective household food waste prevention requires understanding why willingness to avoid waste does not always translate into behaviour. The Motivation–Opportunity–Ability (MOA) framework may help identify distinct consumer profiles and inform more targeted interventions. Preliminary data were obtained from the EATWISE project through a MOA-based questionnaire assessing multiple subconstructs of Motivation, Opportunity, and Ability, alongside sociodemographic characteristics, food waste related emotions, contextual factors, and self-reported food waste. Among 362 respondents, 286 participants with >50% responsibility for both household food purchasing and cooking were included. Construct-level MOA scores were z-standardized and used in Latent Profile Analysis. Three consumer profiles emerged: “motivated, able, and enabled” (45%), “opportunity constrained” (35%); and “less motivated, less able” (20%). Profiles differed more clearly in food waste related emotions and contextual factors than in sociodemographic factors, which were not significantly different after correction for multiple testing. Self-reported food waste differed significantly across profiles, with the lowest levels among motivated, able, and enabled consumers and the highest among opportunity constrained consumers. In structural analysis, opportunity showed the strongest independent inverse association with food waste, followed by ability, whereas motivation was not independently associated with food waste. The model explained 14% of the variance in the food waste composite. These preliminary findings suggest that willingness alone may be insufficient to prevent food waste. Interventions should move beyond demographic targeting and generic awareness campaigns toward approaches addressing practical skills and, particularly, contextual and structural opportunity constraints.

The choice of methodology strongly influences the quality and usability of household food waste data. While self-reporting methods provide important insights into household behaviours and drivers of food waste, high participant burden often limits study duration and data completeness. This study investigated whether AI-assisted reporting through participants preferred social messaging channel can reduce burden, improve user experience, and enable scalable longer-term monitoring. In November 2025, 100 Finnish households participated in a randomized cross-over trial comparing two approaches: photo-based reporting and category-based reporting using predefined food waste categories (Hartikainen et al. 2025). Participants used one method during the first week and switched in the second week. Both approaches were integrated into a familiar messaging platform and required no scales or additional equipment, supporting high scalability. User experience, perceived burden, and willingness for extended participation were assessed through repeated surveys. Both approaches captured household food waste reliably but differed in sensitivity to waste types. Category-based reporting generated more records (575 vs. 371), partly because a single photo often contained multiple food items, while category reporting produced item-level entries. It was particularly effective for liquid and low-visibility waste such as coffee and dairy residues. Photo-based reporting captured plate leftovers and mixed dishes more effectively and was preferred by families with children due to its speed and low effort, whereas older participants favoured the structured category interface. The AI system used for image interpretation demonstrated strong performance, achieving higher food classification accuracy and more precise weight estimation than a general-purpose AI model and a panel of 200 human evaluators, supporting the value of domain-specific training for visual food waste quantification. Importantly, participants reported high engagement and low perceived burden in both approaches, and many indicated willingness to continue reporting beyond one month. Overall, the findings show that the two approaches are complementary: category-based reporting improves capture of small and liquid waste, while photo-based reporting reduces burden and improves documentation of solid waste. Together, they offer a scalable foundation for long-term household food waste monitoring and intervention research.

Food losses at the primary production stage remain one of the least accurately quantified components of the agri-food chain, largely due to methodological limitations in field measurement. Robust and comparable data are essential for designing effective reduction strategies, yet current approaches often rely on simplified sampling or subjective assessments. This study analyses methodological challenges involved in estimating pre-harvest and harvest losses through an empirical application in persimmon orchards in Valencia (Spain). Fieldwork was conducted during two consecutive seasons (2019–2020), covering multiple commercial plots managed by producer cooperatives. Two measurement approaches were implemented and compared: (i) a conventional random sampling method based on a limited number of trees per plot, and (ii) an alternative protocol combining full-plot visual characterisation of loss levels (low, medium, high) with stratified sampling and weight extrapolation. Additionally, prior qualitative assessments from technical staff were recorded to contrast perceived and measured losses. Results reveal systematic discrepancies between methods and perceptions. Differences in estimated losses between measurement approaches were frequently substantial, with deviations often being considerable depending on plot heterogeneity. Perception-based classifications by field technicians showed limited alignment with measured values, while random sampling tended to underrepresent areas with higher accumulation of fruit losses. These findings highlight the influence of selection bias, observer bias and spatial variability within plots. The alternative stratified approach demonstrated a greater capacity to capture intra-plot heterogeneity, leading to more consistent and realistic estimations of losses, while requiring a very similar level of resources to those invested in random sampling. By integrating full-field assessment with targeted measurements, this method reduces bias associated with purely random or perception-based approaches, while remaining operationally feasible in commercial settings. The study underscores that inaccurate measurement of field-level losses may significantly distort the understanding of the magnitude of food losses and undermine the effectiveness of reduction policies. Establishing more robust and standardised measurement protocols is therefore a prerequisite for improving data quality and supporting decision-making in primary production systems. These results contribute to the ongoing discussion on how to enhance the reliability of food loss quantification at source and provide practical insights applicable to other perennial cropping systems.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the reliability of global supply chains, the availability of food products, food prices, and food purchase and consumption behaviour has been significant. This study aims to identify potential differences in food waste levels and behaviours in Germany during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic periods (Witte et al., 2025). The data are based on two household food waste diary studies with sample sizes of over 6,500 participants each, which are representative of Germany in terms of residency criteria, age, income, and household size. Descriptive statistics and a mixed model approach are used to examine food waste amounts per product group, disposal reasons and lifecycle categories, and to compare the 2020 survey year with 2016/17. A linear mixed model was applied to examine the impact of the pandemic and lockdown phases on food waste levels in 2020. The results show that total food waste, as well as unavoidable food waste, increased significantly during the pandemic compared to the same period in the 2016/17 survey. Notably, avoidable food waste decreased in 2020. This suggests an improvement in food management skills. At the same time, food consumption — and therefore unavoidable food waste, such as peels and bones — shifted from outside to inside the home. The composition of product groups was also affected by altered consumption patterns during the pandemic. For instance, this resulted in higher levels of unavoidable beverage waste, such as coffee grounds and tea bags, as well as vegetable waste, such as peels and seeds. Meanwhile, there was lower waste in baked goods, canned food, convenience products and prepared dishes. Due to the expected error caused by socially desirable responses, the study should not be used for quantitative purposes. The value of the study lies primarily in the differences between the years and the available information on the composition of total food waste in terms of avoidability and various product groups. This information can be used as a basis for further policies and interventions, particularly in the context of the revised Waste Framework Directive in the European Union. The findings are relevant to the post-pandemic period as they raise the question of whether a slower pace of life is necessary for people to adopt more sustainable food behaviours, and to develop appropriate planning, storage and handling practices. Therefore, policies that extend beyond the food sector should encourage citizens to engage with the issue of food (waste), prioritise it over other activities, and develop an interest in food management. Future research should also examine ways to encourage behaviours that reduce food waste, as well as the long-term effects of disruptions to the food supply chain on everyday household life in relation to food waste.

Despite holding negative attitudes toward food waste, consumers frequently over-prepare food due to conflicting self-identities. Specifically, the "Good Food Provider" (GFP) identity motivates hosts to over-prepare food to signal hospitality and care, directly opposing a "Pro-Environmental" (PE) identity focused on waste minimisation. This tension creates an internal conflict between avoiding food shortages and preventing waste, driving inconsistent food provision behaviours. Methods: Two online experimental studies on Qualtrics investigated how identity conflict — the tension between PE and GFP self-identities — moderates the relationship between perceived risk of shortage and over-preparation. Canadian adult participants (Study 1: N = 100; Study 2: N = 128) were recruited via the Prolific platform. In Study 1, chronic GFP and PE identities were measured using adapted multi-item Likert scales to predict over-preparation intentions (e.g., deliberately ordering excessive food). Study 2 established causal dynamics by manipulating identity salience (GFP vs. PE vs. control) through a short reading-priming task, capturing actual food preparation behaviour via a portion allocation scenario (determining the adequate number of meatballs for seven guests). Perceived risk of shortage in both studies was assessed through randomised trials, where participants rated the likelihood of shortage for hypothetical groups of five or nine guests given specific food quantities (e.g., "Ordering 28 meatballs for five people may not be enough for everyone."). Results: Across both studies, identity conflict significantly shaped responses to perceived food shortage risk. In Study 1, stronger PE identity reduced intentions to over-prepare food, whereas stronger GFP identity increased them. A significant three-way interaction (b = 0.449, p = .005) revealed that the influence of perceived risk of shortage depended on the relative strength of these competing identities: PE identity mitigated over-preparation intentions only when GFP identity was weak; when GFP identity was strong, it dominated and PE identity no longer reduced over-preparation intentions. Study 2 confirmed this identity prioritisation pattern — perceived shortage risk increased the quantity of prepared food, particularly when GFP identity was activated, whereas PE identity weakened this effect. Conclusion: These findings identify identity conflict as a key psychological driver of food over-preparation and potential household food waste. Concern about being a good host can outweigh environmental values when consumers anticipate food shortages, helping explain why food waste persists despite widespread awareness of its negative consequences. Interventions may be more effective if they disrupt traditional hospitality norms rather than merely appealing to environmental values.

Food waste monitoring in nursing homes is recognised as an important component of sustainable food service management. However, long-term monitoring systems often face practical limitations. This study presents the continued development of a 2.5-year food waste monitoring project conducted in a nursing home using SmartBin technology. Building on previously established longitudinal monitoring data, the project was further expanded through complementary methodological and sustainability-oriented approaches. A one-week study of lunch plate waste composition was conducted to explore practical methods for estimating the relative proportions of food categories in mixed plate waste. In parallel, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted to examine the environmental impacts associated with observed patterns of food waste. In addition, post-intervention analyses were initiated to evaluate potential changes in food waste generation following interventions implemented within the nursing home.

Preliminary LCA results estimated an average climate impact of 0.465 kg CO₂ eq. per resident per day. Food waste generated during dinner contributed the highest environmental impacts, followed by lunch and breakfast. Composite dishes, semifluid and meat were identified as major contributors to the overall carbon footprint, while primary production was the dominant life-cycle stage responsible for environmental impacts.

The study highlights both methodological and practical considerations associated with implementing and expanding food waste monitoring systems in nursing home settings. This ongoing work contributes to the development of more comprehensive and practice-oriented approaches for food waste assessment and management in nursing homes.

In 2023, BOKU University in collaboration with the Austrian foodbank and the Museum of Natural History in Vienna, developed the exhibition “GewissensBISS – harvested.bought.thrown away” to address food waste prevention. The content was focused on middle school students and the exhibition was designed in a way that it can be shipped from one school to the next without additional supervision and can be set up and taken down independently by the local staff. To date, more than 20,000 visitors from schools in all federal states, representing approximately 80 locations have visited the exhibition. As part of the exhibition’s presentation in 21 schools, surveys were used to analyse the extent to which the exhibition triggers actual learning and behavioural processes among students and their social circles, and to what degree visiting the exhibition results in a measurable increase in knowledge and/or a greater willingness to act in an environmentally conscious manner among the students. Another focus of the analyses was to determine whether it is possible, in the sense of “reverse socialization,” to reach students’ families through the students themselves and, ideally, to educate them as well, and whether providing parents with targeted additional information about the exhibition can enhance the reach and effectiveness of knowledge transfer. The exhibition GewissensBISS was received very positively by teachers, students, and parents alike. Of the 469 participating students, 68% rated the exhibition as very good or good. The comparison clearly shows: after visiting the exhibition, students know noticeably more in several areas. The greatest improvement was in knowledge regarding the proper storage of food—here, the percentage of correct answers rose by 29%. The project clearly demonstrated that a multiplier effect occurs and that students also influence their parents’ behaviour - measures were implemented in 20% of the households surveyed following the discussion with the students. It was also clearly established that parents who had been informed in advance were more likely to discuss the exhibition with their children. Thus, in 78% of households, there were conversations between children and parents in which the parents had been informed beforehand, whereas this was the case in only 35% of households that had not been informed in advance. 40% of respondents stated that these conversations led them to engage more deeply with the topic and that they have already implemented concrete measures to prevent food waste. An interesting aspect here: detailed conversations led to the implementation of measures significantly more often than brief ones. For instance, 64% of parents who had a detailed conversation with their children reported that they implemented measures in the household.

Food loss and waste is a grave issue that has received ample coverage in the literature. However, the field still lacks a firm theoretical and conceptual foundation, as well as a clear connection to the principles of the circular economy, which is often suggested but rarely established explicitly. In this article, we look into household food waste. Although national patterns vary, households still generate the largest proportion (60%) of waste worldwide according to the UNEP Food Waste Index. Suggested approaches to tackling household food waste are diverse and include consumer-centred digital solutions such as mobile applications and smart technology. In this scoping review, we will review consumer-centered digital solutions addressing the issue of household food waste in the context of circular economy principles. We have included those solutions that we found in the literature (n=58) and mapped them using the framework of Narrowing, Slowing, Closing and Regenerating the Loop. The review is still ongoing, so the results are still pending. Preliminary results will map available digital solutions, which circular principles they address and through what mechanism they aim to engage consumers. With this review, we contribute to research on digital solutions to household food waste, synthesize findings in related literature and identify critical research gaps. In addition, we shed light on consumers’ engagement in circular economy principles and bridge two research areas that have not previously been explicitly linked.

Food waste research has established that consumption patterns and daily routines significantly influence household and institutional waste generation. However, most quantitative studies rely on short-term monitoring, which may fail to capture the role of high-impact events concentrated in specific periods, particular groups, or operational disruptions in total waste generation. A few long-term studies have provided evidence that food waste concentrates in specific periods and populations (e.g. Malefors et al., 2026), yet this pattern requires validation across different contexts, settings, and populations. Understanding whether waste generation is driven primarily by routine behaviours or by concentrated extreme events has important implications for designing effective interventions. To test this further, we employed long-term automated monitoring of household and school food waste using a smart bin system, analysing different patterns to quantify the contribution of extreme events to total waste generation. This study employs a long-term monitoring and analysis of household and school food waste. A total of 11 households and 2 schools were monitored using a smart bin system (SvinnSon©), which continuously records the weight and pictures of disposed food waste. Data collection periods ranged from 78 to 289 days. Peak analysis was conducted to measure and analyse high-impact waste events where avoidable food waste significantly exceeds typical levels, indicating abnormal or event-driven behaviour. Three statistical methods were applied to detect peaks: the percentile method (P90), the interquartile range (IQR) method and the median absolute deviation (MAD) method. For school plate waste, Pareto analysis was applied to the distribution of waste events to identify whether a small proportion of events contributes disproportionately to total waste generation. The results reveal that although high-impact events occur infrequently, they account for a disproportionately large share of total avoidable food waste. The P90 method showed that 10% of peak days are responsible for an average of 72% avoidable food waste, while the IQR method, capturing a broader range of peaks, resulted in 5 – 25% of peak days are responsible for an average of 78% avoidable waste. Similarly, Pareto analysis reveals that 16 – 17% of students are responsible for 40 – 74% of plate waste. The analysis demonstrates that food waste generation is concentrated in high-impact events and specific periods or populations, rather than distributed uniformly across all days or groups. Long-term quantification was essential to reveal this concentration pattern, as short-term studies risk missing or misrepresenting these critical drivers. These findings have important implications for intervention design, as general population-level approaches or daily average-based strategies are unlikely to be effective when waste concentrates in specific high-impact events or groups. Instead, waste reduction strategies should target the periods, populations, or conditions that drive disproportionate waste generation, enabling more efficient and context-dependent interventions.

Aligned with the European Union (EU) climate and sustainability strategies, combating food waste (FW) stands as a cornerstone for fostering a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system. Moreover, the impact of FW extends beyond the food system, generating environmental, social, and economic consequences. Thus, FW prevention is increasingly recognised as a strategic lever for climate change mitigation, particularly through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Despite its potential, FW prevention is often addressed through fragmented policies and mainly within waste management. This highlights the need to assess whether it is adequately integrated into broader climate and energy policies in a coordinated, cross-sectoral way at EU and national levels. Based on the approach adopted by Szulecka et al. (2019), this study adopts a multi-level governance perspective (Hooghe & Marks, 2010), recognising that food waste (FW) prevention is shaped by interactions across supranational (EU), national, and sub-national levels, as well as by both public and private actors. The empirical analysis is primarily based on document analysis (Bowen, 2009), combining a systematic mapping of policy frameworks with a structured qualitative assessment. The study covers European-level policies, regulations, treaties, directives, and non-binding instruments across thematic areas potentially linked to FW prevention, including waste management, climate change mitigation, energy efficiency, green public procurement, animal welfare, and social rights. Following the identification of relevant policy documents, an analytical framework was developed to assess their content in a consistent and comparable way, based on OECD (OECD, 2025). The analysis focuses on key dimensions such as scope and focus, level of ambition, implementation mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation provisions, and the degree of integration and alignment with other policy domains. The scope of the research spans both EU-level frameworks and national policies. The analysis includes countries participating in the WASTEWISE project (Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Finland, Romania, and Italy), as well as a selected group of additional countries (France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and the United States). Overall, the research highlights that, despite increasing policy attention to FLW across the EU and its Member States since 2018, its potential as a climate mitigation lever remains largely underutilized and unevenly implemented. A more systematic integration of FLW prevention into climate, energy, and agricultural policy frameworks could unlock substantial co-benefits in terms of emissions reduction, resource efficiency, and food system resilience. This study aims to provide evidence and methodological insights to support governance, regulatory alignment, and strategic decision-making on food loss and waste prevention and its integration into climate and sustainability policies, highlighting its role as a strategic tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, for EU and national policymakers and researchers.

Food and agricultural waste materials have long occupied an unstable position between matter, culture, memory, decay and transformation. In contemporary artistic and heritage contexts, they are increasingly mobilized not only as symbolic or sensory materials, but also as active biological, ecological and social agents. This communication presents recent work from the Heritage, Conservation and Restoration and New Media Art research groups at CITAR/UCP, exploring how circular bioeconomy, microbial ecology, green conservation and inclusive education can reframe food, food residues and bio-based materials as part of a broader material ecology of cultural heritage and artistic practices. Our research investigates the valorisation of agro-industrial, marine-derived and food-chain residues for conservation and artistic applications, including chitosan-based antimicrobial coatings derived from seafood industry by-products, cellulose fibers obtained from Portuguese vine pruning residues as well as microorganisms themselves, such as fungi and mushrooms. Rather than treating these residues as waste or food, we approach them as culturally and materially meaningful resources capable of generating new conservation materials, tactile educational replicas, coatings, gels and experimental heritage interfaces. In this sense, food-related residues become part of an expanded field of artistic and conservation materials, connecting circular economy with material experimentation, ecological responsibility and cultural transmission. This communication also invites a reflection on the biological instability of food-based matter. Organic materials are rarely inert: they ferment, oxidize, attract microbial colonization, release volatile compounds and change in response to environmental conditions. Recent developments in our work also integrate environmental sensors, data analytics and machine-learning approaches to support evidence-based conservation decision-making as well as artistic production. Projects such as GraspingHERITAGE extend this reflection beyond preservation and into education, accessibility and community engagement. By developing tactile and multisensory replicas for safer museum learning experiences, the project explores how material surrogates can expand access to heritage while reducing risks to original objects. In this framework, circular bio-based materials are not only technical substitutes, they become pedagogical tools that enable sensory participation and inclusive forms of cultural experience. This communication argues that food as art material should be understood within a wider ecology of transformation, involving residues, microorganisms, sensory experience, environmental change, circular material flows and social participation. By bringing together conservation science, biotechnology, microbial monitoring, machine-learning sensors and community-oriented heritage education, our work proposes a sustainable and interdisciplinary framework for engaging with food-derived materials in artistic and heritage contexts.

The authors acknowledge the financial help from project GraspingHERITAGE. Crafting tactile exploration replicas for safer educational museums experiences MPr-2023-12/14835 funded Through SACCCT – Projeto de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT) - Operações Individuais e em Copromoção AG: PITD within COMPETE2030-FEDER-00837800.

Brewer’s spent grain (BSG), the primary by-product of the brewing industry, is generated in large quantities and represents up to 85% of total brewing residues. Despite being rich in valuable components such as dietary fiber, proteins, and phenolic compounds, its high moisture content and susceptibility to microbial spoilage limit its industrial reuse. Phenolic compounds are of particular interest due to their well-documented antioxidant and bioactive properties, which can contribute to the development of functional food ingredients and nutraceuticals. However, their extraction from lignocellulosic matrices such as BSG is often limited by cell wall complexity. In this context, emerging non-thermal technologies such as pulsed electric field (PEF) and ultrasound (US) have attracted attention for their ability to enhance mass transfer and facilitate the release of intracellular compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficiency of PEF and ultrasound-assisted extraction in recovering phenolic compounds from BSG using water as a green solvent. A 2k with two central points and two repetitions experimental design was applied to optimize PEF and Ultrasound treatment parameters. For PEF, the electric field strength (1.5–5 kV/cm), pulse width (10–30 μs), and number of pulses (50–150) were tested. Ultrasound-assisted extraction was conducted by varying sonication time (5–15 min), temperature (5–50 °C), and amplitude (20–60%). After treatment, extraction was performed under constant stirring, followed by centrifugation and filtration. The obtained extracts were characterized for total phenolic content (TPC) using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and total flavonoid content (TFC) via the aluminum chloride assay. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. Furthermore, individual phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results indicated that both PEF and ultrasound treatments enhanced the extraction of phenolic compounds compared to untreated controls. Optimal extraction yields depended on the specific combination of processing parameters, highlighting the importance of process optimization. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of integrating green and non-thermal technologies for the valorization of BSG, contributing to sustainable waste management and supporting circular economy strategies within the food industry.

Cold-pressed apricot and plum kernel oils were characterized to evaluate the impact of triacylglycerol (TAG) composition on their thermal properties, establishing novel structure–thermal behavior relationships for these high-value stone fruit oils. The quantification of fatty acids composition – total saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) – was performed by detailed NMR studies (¹H, ¹³C,  ¹H-¹³C HSQC, ¹H-¹³C HMBC) by integrating the different proton environments and the targeted detection and characterization of fatty acids and predominant triacylglycerols were performed by HPLC-ESI-MS. The triacylglycerol composition of apricot and plum kernel oils played a decisive role in shaping their differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) profiles by modulating the melting and crystallization behaviour through differences in acyl-chain packing and unsaturation degree. The broad overlapping transitions with multiple shoulders observed in the low temperature range of the second heating scan were mainly associated with the heterogeneous composition, structural diversity and polymorphic behavior of TAG species. Different thermal protocols, including controlled cooling and heating programs were applied to achieve a better separation and interpretation of overlapping thermal events with the aim to discern between the influences of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. The melting and crystallization behavior was significantly affected by TAG polymorphism, as the formation of distinct crystalline arrangements generated complex phase transitions and differences in crystal stability. The modulated DSC approach provided a deeper insight into the melting and crystallization processes occurring in the oils during heating by separating the overlapping exothermic crystallization events from the endothermic melting transitions, thus providing improved characterization of polymorphic transitions and crystalline phase stability. The results provide deeper insights into the relationship between the TAG composition and thermal behavior in stone fruit kernel oils and highlight the importance of optimized thermal protocols for resolving complex polymorphic transitions. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the thermal behavior of natural oils, paving the way for their optimized use in various applications.

Catechin is a flavonoid widely distributed in plants. It plays a crucial role in cardiovascular protection thanks to its ability to inhibit platelet activation and enhance vasodilation. It modulates various cell signaling pathways involved in the progression of neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, which has increased interest in it as a bioactive compound with high functional value (Mangels & Mohler, 2017; Ferrari & Naponelli, 2025). In this context, the habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense), an emblematic crop of the Yucatan Peninsula is widely recognized for its distinctive color, aroma, and flavor. It has a high polyphenol content in its leaves, including catechin, quercetin, rutin, gallic acid, cinnamic acid, and chlorogenic acid. However, it is estimated that about 20 % of production is industrialized, while the rest is discarded after harvesting the fruit, generating approximately 1.5 million by-products annually. Considering the importance of this crop to regional identity, it is essential to take advantage of these by-products to explore new sources of bioactive compounds (Statistical Yearbook of Agricultural Production, 2024). For this use to be viable and compatible with functional foods, it is essential to design safe and sustainable extraction strategies. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) emerge as a superior alternative to conventional solvents: they offer more economical, ecologically sustainable, and highly selective extractions for bioactive compounds of interest. Additionally, their composition from natural compounds facilitates the incorporation of the extract into food matrices.The objective of this study was to obtain catechin from habanero chili pepper (Capsicum chinense) leaves using NADES in combination with ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). A preliminary design allowed for the evaluation of different hydrogen donors (glycerol, glucose, and fructose), identifying the choline chloride-fructose system as the most efficient for polyphenol recovery (CTP) and antioxidant capacity (Ax). Analysis of individual polyphenols by UPLC revealed the presence of various phenolic acids and flavonoids, with catechin standing out as the compound with the greatest potential for optimization. Targeted optimization of catechin showed that the NADES conditions (molar ratio and water percentage) significantly influenced its recovery, yielding a quadratic model with adequate predictive capacity (R² ≈ 0.76). The optimal conditions were 1 : 3.4 mol/mol (choline chloride:fructose) with 84% water, predicting an optimal value of 146.53 mg/100 g Dry Leaf (DL). In summary, habanero chili leaves are emerging as a sustainable source of catechins through environmentally friendly extraction using NADES-UAE. Optimizing parameters such as molar ratio and water content using response surface methodology (RSM) maximizes the selectivity and concentration of these bioactive compounds. This strategy not only promotes the valorization of agro-industrial waste but also opens new avenues for incorporating functional ingredients into food, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The genus Allium comprises more than 1,100 species, among which Allium cepa and Allium sativum stand out for their nutritional and medicinal relevance. However, species such as Allium ampeloprasum as well as its propagation organ, also known as Japanese garlic, remain relatively unexplored, despite their increasing cultivation in Mexico and their recent promotion as a substitute for common garlic due to their similar flavor, better digestibility, and less unpleasant breath effects (Kurnia et. al., 2023, Zhu et. al., 2025, Baños et. al., 2022). Nevertheless, the industry generates large volumes of byproducts, such as the skin shells of the propagating organ, that represent up to 30% of total production and constitute a potential source of bioactive compounds (Hitlamani et. al.,  2024). The aim of this study was to evaluate the phenolic profile, total polyphenol content by Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the antioxidant capacity by the DPPH assay of different A. ampeloprasum propagation organ raw materials (Skin shells, peeled, and complete) extracts, subjected to different drying processes (Freeze-drying as well as oven drying) using hydrophilic natural eutectic solvents (NADES) based on choline/glucose (0.8:1 molar ratio), hydrated to 60% and 68%, in order to be compared to conventional methanol extraction. Individual polyphenols quantification was performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) using two phenolic standards mixtures. While methanolic extractions yielded a higher total phenolic content, NADES extracts exhibited a more selective extraction profile for molecules with established antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This positions NADES as a biocompatible and sustainable alternative for targeted byproduct valorization. The highest total polyphenol content was obtained in freeze-dried skin shells extracted with 60% hydrated NADES (384.81 ± 15.38 mg GAE/100 g). The greatest DPPH radical inhibition was observed in freeze-dried skin shells with 68% hydrated NADES (93.08 ± 0.58%), followed by the complete propagation organ under the same extraction conditions with NADES and hydration, where polyphenols like: Catequin, Chlorogenic acid, Rutin, Quercetin + Luteolin, Kaempferol, Hesperidin, stand out. These values ​​highlight the A. ampeloprasum potential as an alternative source of phenolic compounds as the results exceed those previously reported on Allium sativum's variety. This study demonstrates the valorizing A. ampeloprasum agro-industrial byproducts using NADES feasibility, contributing to the crop's comprehensive application in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries, as an important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory option.

Excelsa coffee cascara (Coffea liberica var. dewevrei) is an abundant coffee processing by-product that has not been optimally valorized. This study aimed to determine the effects of fermentation time using a Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY) for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days on the physicochemical characteristics, bioactive compound content, and bioactivity of excelsa coffee cascara-based kombucha. The research methods included the preparation of a 2 g/100 mL cascara infusion with 5 g/100 mL sugar, inoculation with 2.5 g/100 mL SCOBY (specific growth rate of 0.40 g/L-day), and fermentation at room temperature (25 °C). The results showed that increasing fermentation time led to a decrease in pH to 3.67 ± 0.05 and an increase in total acid content to 0.38 ± 0.05 g/100 mL by day 6. At the end of fermentation, bioactive compound concentrations reached 895.60 ± 34.14 µg GAE/mL for total phenolic content (TPC), 19.13 ± 0.22 µg QE/mL for total flavonoid content (TFC), and 0.11 ± 0.01 mg/mL for ascorbic acid. Antioxidant activity remained stable with a DPPH value (IC50) of 207.04 ± 3.28 mL/L and a FRAP value of 11.81 ± 1.06 mM. Antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was first detected on day 6 with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 500 µL/mL. The anti-inflammatory activity (IC50) on day 6 was recorded at 28,184.40 ± 3,176.22 ppm. In conclusion, a 6-day fermentation period effectively increases acidity and antibacterial activity, while maintaining the bioactive compound content as well as the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of excelsa coffee cascara-based kombucha as a health beverage.

Given the severe environmental impact of petrochemical plastics, along with the accumulation of agro-industrial waste, the need for sustainable and biodegradable alternatives is continuously growing. In this context, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are promising biopolymers. Produced by microorganisms under carbon-excess and nutrient-limited conditions, PHAs represent a viable and fully biodegradable substitute for conventional plastics.(Castro-Sowinski et al., 2010) Despite their potential, PHAs use in consumer goods is limited, as their production costs remain notably high. The use of nutrient-rich waste streams as growth media for PHA producing strains can alleviate this economic hurdle. In this work, we investigated the biosynthesis of PHAs by two PHA producers, utilizing anaerobically co-digested agro-industrial waste(Maragkaki et al., 2026) as low-cost and carbon-rich growth media.(Vu et al., 2022). Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida were screened for their ability to grow and accumulate PHAs in various substrates after mesophilic anaerobic co-digestion. These included cheese whey, co-digested with other agro-industrial residues, including olive mill waste and food waste(Maragkaki et al., 2026). Among the two strains, Cupriavidus demonstrated notably higher growth and high PHA productivity, compared to Pseudomonas. The optimization of the cultivation and extraction of PHAs in terms of yields and environmental impact will be discussed. The chemical and physical characterization of the produced polymers confirmed the high-purity of PHB and PHB-co-HV copolymers, exhibiting molecular weights and thermal properties comparable with those of commercial standards. PHA polymeric films degradation behavior was evaluated providing valuable insights into their potential performance for practical applications. Overall, this study highlights the potential of anaerobically digested agro-industrial waste, especially cheese whey-based mixtures, as efficient and sustainable substrates for PHA production. Our results demonstrate that agro-industrial waste can be valorized within a sustainable circular system to produce biodegradable polymers capable of meeting the growing demand for plastic materials.

Food waste is a global issue of concern from two perspectives – firstly the loss of edible portions of food impedes the ability for current agricultural practices to feed a growing population with the United Nations estimating that 3 in 10 people faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023. Secondly the generation of inedible portions of food crops presents issues with disposal – with many conventional means, such as landfill and burning, contributing severely to the climate crises and other air pollution issues. One of the key parts of rendering crops and plants inedible for human consumption is the high presence of indigestible lignocellulosic material – comprising primarily of lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin tied together. Fractionation of this material can yield the pectin and cellulose for further usage. Both are well established as functional food ingredients, namely as a thickening or bulking agent or as dietary fibre. However their potential usage spans many other fields across the food manufacturing sector. From hydroponic media for growing plants, through to smart films for packaging, this talk will explore the many ways in which these materials can be utilised to both reduce waste in the food supply chain and boost productivity simultaneously.

β-carotene is a promising compound due to its provitamin A activity, antioxidant properties, and wide applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Rhodotorula glutinis is used as an alternative for β-carotene production due to its rapid growth, high carotenoid yield, and ability to utilize low-cost substrates. This present study involved optimization and validation of the β-carotene recovery by using green solvents produced through microbial synthesis using novel strain of Rhodotorulla glutinis. The Rhodotorulla glutinis was isolated from Sabji Mandi Waste and was utilised for the production of β-carotene. Different molar concentrations of Ionic Liquid-based solvent and Deep Eutectic Solvent systems derived from Choline-based components were used for the extraction of carotenoid compounds. These solvents were chosen based on their low volatility, biodegradability, customisable physical and chemical properties, and enhanced ability to split up hydrogen bonding networks inside microbial cell walls. The extraction process involved treating dried yeast biomass with selected solvent systems under controlled conditions, and the recovery was followed by solid-liquid and liquid-liquid phase separation using organic solvents. The purity through Spectrophotometer, HPLC, FTIR, and NMR analysis. Finally, the crystallised product was recovered. The results demonstrated that the diluent Deep Eutectic solvent (105 dilution 20 ml) (Choline Chloride: Glycolic Acid- 1:4) was more efficient in extracting a higher percentage of crude β-carotenoid (71.4%) recovery of the total biomass (0.5 gm) compared to the highly concentrated solvents (29.16% and 32.76% respectively) and also compared to the ioniq liquid solvents (31% and 23%).  Therefore, the present study stated that the combination of Choline chloride and Glycolic acid could be more efficient for the successful extraction of this carotenoid β-carotene, as it is cheaper than choline bicarbonate. The product was recovered in a crystallised form, which may be used further as a raw material, as a colourant or antioxidant material for the development of natural products for human health.

The production of microbial biopolymers has receiving great attention because of their eco-friendly and sustainable nature compared to petroleum-based and chemically synthesized materials (Fatima, 2024). Bacterial cellulose (BC) is certainly one the most promising and attractive biopolymer, and its chemical and structural properties (e.g. e.g., chemical purity and stability, nanoscale fibrous structure, high water-holding capacity, hydrophilicity, high polymerization and crystallinity index, moldability), make it suitable for several applications in food- and biomedical-related fields (e.g. coating, emulsifying and gelling agents, active packaging, prebiotics, drug carriers, material for implantable devices and tissue repair; (Venturelli et al., 2025). The global BC market is expected to rise in the coming years, and the government regulations on the reduction of carbon emissions and plastics usage, as well as the progress in BC production processes (e.g. microbial strains, cultivation media, biopolymer biochemistry), will certainly drive the evolution of BC market. Furthermore, the use of agri-food wastes as low-cost substrates to produce microbial biopolymers may be a promising circular-economy strategy for waste valorisation, while reducing the production and downstream recovery costs. In this study, we used the “kombucha SCOBY” concept (i.e., interaction of Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts in a complex cellulose-based biofilm), to design and assembly Model Microbial Communities (MMC), consisting of several acetic acid bacteria (AAB; core strains), lactic acid bacteria (LAB; helpers) and yeast (Y; helper) strains, able to boost BC production in different substrates (including agri-food wastes). Fruit and vegetable wastes (FVW) (i.e. potato, carrots, pear and apple peels) were used for the formulation of low-cost substrates for production of BC. The BC produced by using apple or pear extracts (the best substrates) was subjected to rheological and mechanical analyses (e.g., elasticity, fracturing capability) to verify the structural properties and BC potential applications. The results showed that the assembled communities boosted the BC yield compared to the single AAB strains, avoiding the constraints related to the use of axenic cultures and highlighted the potential of MMC for the production of microbial polymers. Pear and apple wastes boosted the BC yield compared to conventional synthetic growth medium, probably due to the high content of sugars fermentable by AAB. The type and % of wastes, however, affected the BC properties, suggesting that waste selection should be based not only on BC yield, but also on rheological data (which may not always consistent). Further trials are ongoing to exploit BC potential as biofilm. Our study demonstrated that the microbial biotechnologies may offer scientifically sound strategies to support zero-waste principles, sustainability, and resilience of the agri-food system, ensuring renewable materials (e.g., biopolymers/bioplastics) and contributing to waste reduction and valorisation (e.g., use as alternative and low-cost substrates; recovery of food matrices through fermentative processes).

The expanding global demand for aquaculture products creates large amounts of nutrient-rich fisheries effluent, which contains high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus and poses major environmental concerns. Surprisingly, microalgal development requires both nitrogen and phosphorus. Based on this premise, the current work investigates the potential for long-term bioremediation of fishery effluent using thermotolerant Coellastrella thermophila, a newly identified microalgal strain. The state of Gujarat is characterized by a semi-arid to arid tropical climate and during peak summer (April–June), temperatures frequently rise to 40–45°C, and heatwaves can push it even higher. In such climatic conditions, its difficult to perform bioremediation of fishery wastewater in open ponds through circular economy model is slight tough to operate. The study assessed Coellastrella thermophila's growth performance in fishery wastewater in open ponds at a temperature of 40-45 ͦC as well as its effectiveness in converting the wastewater into recovered water appropriate for irrigation. Present study addresses the growth characteristics of Coellastrella thermophila grown in fishery industry (FWW) waste water (FWW)  along with its nutrient profiling,  which includes lipids, proteins, pigments, carbohydrates, ash content and mineral content to produce biodiesel. In addition, the functional components of the generated biomass were identified. Coellastrella thermophila substantially decreased major pollutants such as BOD (from 560 mg/L to 19 mg/L), COD (1876 mg/L to 85 mg/L), sulphate (1226 mg/L to 596 mg/L), and ammoniacal nitrogen (from 127 mg/L to 34.3 mg/L).  Coellastrella thermophila (control, FWW+25 % nutrients, FWW+50 % nutrients, FWW+75 % nutrients and FWW+100 % nutrients) was grown and faster growth was observed in the FWW containing 25 % (395.3 mg L-1 biomass) and 50 % (450.3 mg L-1 biomass) nutrient as compared to control medium i.e. Bold Basal Medium (BBM). Zeaxanthin (28.86 ± 0.5 µg/Ll) which is necessary in ocular health was the most abundant pigment in BBM identified in HPLC.  Maximum phospholipid (31 %) and neural lipid (58 %) were in FWW+25 % nutrient, whereas glycolipid (26 %) was highest in FWW+50 % nutrient. Triacylglycerol (TAG), a phospholipid, was the most abundant lipid accumulated in the Coellastrella thermophila, grown in FWW, thus making it a potential biodiesel feedstock.

Rising food demand coincides with increasing food and agro-industrial waste generation, emphasizing the need for circular strategies that convert residual biomass into sustainable protein sources. Brewer’s spent grain (BSG), sugarcane bagasse (SB) and brewer’s spent yeast (BSY) are abundant by-products with complementary carbon, fibre and nitrogen compositions (Dong et al., 2013, González-Díaz et al., 2024). These streams present strong potential for their integration into mycoprotein production using Aspergillus oryzae, an edible fungus with well documented hydrolytic capacity (Upcraft et al., 2020, Ahmad et al., 2022, Rousta et al., 2021). However, direct conversion of BSG and especially SB is limited by lignocellulosic recalcitrance, while BSY, despite its high protein and nitrogen content (San Martin et al., 2020), remains unexplored as direct co-substrate in fungal fermentation systems (Jaeger et al., 2020).  Building on previous untreated solid-state fermentation (SSF) trials showing enhanced protein content in BSG/SB/BSY blends, this study investigates alkaline pretreatment combined with SSF and submerged fermentation (SmF) to improve substrate accessibility, fungal growth and biomass recovery. Pretreatment conditions for BSG and SB were screened based on lignin removal, glucan retention, and solid recovery yield. The selected solid fractions were then supplemented with varying BSY ratios and used as substrates for A. oryzae cultivation under both SSF and SmF conditions. Fermentation performance was evaluated in terms of fungal colonisation, biomass development, protein enrichment, and substrate utilisation, using untreated systems as reference. Best-performing conditions will further guide benchtop reactor scale-up and food prototype formulation to assess process feasibility. Results show that substrate composition significantly influenced fungal colonisation, with BSY supplementation supporting more homogeneous A. oryzae growth than single-substrate systems. Protein enrichment was highest in BSY-rich formulations, confirming its role as an effective nitrogen source. Among the pretreatment conditions evaluated, 0.5% NaOH provided the best balance between lignin removal and solid recovery, enabling the improved accessibility of polysaccharides. Preliminary results further demonstrate that pretreatment enhances fungal growth compared to untreated substrates, with 20% BSY supplementation yielding the most consistent growth in both SSF and SmF after four days of cultivation. Overall, the results so far suggest that mild alkaline pretreatment can broaden the use of lignocellulosic brewery and sugarcane residues in fungal protein ingredient production, while BSY supplementation contributes to both nutrient balance and fungal colonisation. By linking substrate modification with fermentation strategies, this work contributes to the development of scalable and sustainable approaches for producing mycoprotein ingredients relevant to future food systems.

The replacement of fossil-based plastics with biodegradable alternatives requires platforms that combine renewable feedstocks, economic viability and environmental benefits. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are bacterial polyesters with promising applications as fully biodegradable bioplastics; however, their application at the consumer stage remains limited by high production costs, particularly those associated with carbon substrates and downstream processing (Kourmentza et al., 2017; Mahato et al., 2023). Anaerobically digested agro-industrial wastewaters represent an attractive alternative feedstock, as anaerobic digestion converts complex organic substrates into more readily assimilable carbon sources; these include volatile fatty acids and lactic acid (Maragkaki et al., 2026), which can be readily converted to PHAs by bacteria (Al Battashi et al., 2021; Szacherska et al., 2021). By integrating anaerobic digestion with PHA production, enhanced waste valorization and remediation can be achieved, in addition to streamlining the production of biofuels and biopolymers (Martinez et al., 2016; Sekoai et al., 2022). This work presents a holistic evaluation of mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobically digested co-digestates as growth media for PHA production by Cupriavidus necator. A range of locally sourced agro-industrial waste streams and their mixtures, including cheese whey, food waste, olive mill wastewater, pig manure, sewage sludge, were characterized and screened for their suitability to support bacterial cultivation. The digestates were assessed through physicochemical analysis and organic carbon profiling, with emphasis on volatile fatty acids, lactic acid, sugars, chemical oxygen demand, total Kjeldahl nitrogen and other parameters relevant to microbial growth and process performance. C. necator’s growth performance was evaluated across the different waste media by monitoring growth kinetic parameters, as well as biopolymer accumulation and substrate consumption trends. Through this approach, feedstock composition and their nutrient profile parameters were connected to microbial growth and biopolymer productivity. Following cultivation, the accumulated PHA was extracted and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Polymer production was evaluated in terms of intracellular PHA content, volumetric yield, monomeric composition, including 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyvalerate fractions and polymer purity. In parallel, pollutant removal was assessed by monitoring reductions in COD, TKN, sugars, and organic acids post-cultivation, linking microbial valorization to wastewater treatment efficiency. Our results demonstrate that selected anaerobically digested agro-industrial co-digestates can effectively support C. necator growth and PHA accumulation, with substrate composition playing a decisive role in process efficiency. Digestates enriched in readily biodegradable carbon sources, particularly those derived from cheese whey and food waste, showed strong potential for integrated PHA production and pollutant reduction. Overall, this study supports the development of an AD–PHA bioprocess that combines waste treatment, resource recovery, and biodegradable polymer production, adhering to the principles of circular bioeconomy.

Sewage sludge is increasingly recognized as both a valuable resource and a potential source of emerging contaminants within circular economy frameworks. In Jordan, expanding wastewater treatment infrastructure has resulted in the generation of substantial quantities of sewage sludge requiring sustainable management and safe reuse strategies. As-Samra Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is the largest wastewater treatment facility in Jordan which treats approximately 125 million m³ per year of municipal wastewater and produces around 54,001 tons of dry sludge per year. While biosolids generated from wastewater treatment offer significant opportunities for resource recovery and agricultural reuse, however, it is still that the occurrence of pharmaceutical residues may present environmental and public health challenges that require further investigation and monitoring. This study assessed the occurrence and distribution of selected pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater and sewage sludge collected from As-Samra WWTP. Influent wastewater, treated effluent, and sludge samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Target compounds included antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antiepileptics, and antimicrobial agents. Eight pharmaceutical compounds were detected, including carbamazepine, ciprofloxacin, flumequine, lincomycin, ofloxacin, pyrimethamine, sulfapyridine, and diclofenac. Influent concentrations ranged from 243 to 4,784 ng/L, while removal efficiencies varied between 39% and 100%. Ciprofloxacin and lincomycin were completely removed from the aqueous phase, whereas carbamazepine exhibited the lowest removal efficiency (39%), confirming its persistence during conventional wastewater treatment processes. Pharmaceutical residues were also detected in sewage sludge which is demonstrating that sorption to solids represents an important removal pathway during wastewater treatment. For example, Ciprofloxacin (289 ng/g), carbamazepine (181 ng/g), and ofloxacin (110 ng/g) exhibited the highest sludge concentrations, while diclofenac, sulfapyridine, pyrimethamine, and flumequine were detected at lower levels. The accumulation of these compounds in sludge highlights the importance of incorporating emerging contaminants into sludge quality assessments prior to land application or beneficial reuse. Building upon recent national-scale investigations of pharmaceutical residues in sewage sludge from Jordanian wastewater treatment plants, the findings contribute to understanding the environmental fate of pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment systems. In Jordan, the quality of wastewater sludge (biosolids) is regulated under the Jordanian Standard JS 1145/2016, which classifies treated sludge into three categories based on heavy metal concentrations, pathogen levels, and moisture content for different reuse and disposal applications. However, the current standard does not include regulatory limits for pharmaceutical residues and other emerging contaminants. Therefore, the generated data can support future updates of sludge quality regulations and the development of risk-based assessment frameworks for sustainable biosolids reuse, resource recovery, and circular economy applications in Jordan. The findings ultimately support the development of sustainable sludge management strategies that maximize resource recovery while ensuring environmental protection and safe biosolids utilization in Jordan and other water-scarce regions.          

The sustainable management of municipal sewage sludge (MSS) remains a critical challenge, requiring innovative approaches grounded in circular economy principles. This study focuses on the simulation of an energy self-sufficient pyrolysis system for MSS using SuperPro Designer. The primary objective is to achieve a self-sustaining thermal balance, in which the energy content of the generated syngas and bio-oil offsets the total heat demand of the integrated drying and carbonization stages. A one-at-a-time (OAT) sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of core operational variables on energy self-sufficiency. Specifically, the simulation investigates the effects of target moisture content after drying and the distribution of pyrolysis product yields on the overall mass-energy balance. Unlike conventional energy-intensive disposal methods, this model identifies the specific operational thresholds required to eliminate reliance on external fuel sources. By quantifying the trade-offs between drying energy consumption and product-driven thermal recovery, the findings provide a robust theoretical framework for scaling up sludge-to-energy facilities. This research provides a strategic roadmap for optimizing pilot-scale implementations of carbon-neutral waste processing.

In the Larnaka District, Cyprus, the Larnaca District Local Government Organization (EOAL) manages the production of dried activated sludge from municipal wastewater treatment at the Larnaka Wastewater Treatment Plant. Approximately 800 tonnes of dried activated sludge are currently provided free of charge to farmers each year, following a specific EOAL procedure approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment. Meanwhile, around 1,680 tonnes per year of green waste produced by local municipalities are not being utilized and currently disposed of in landfill. EOAL is assessing the feasibility of co-composting these materials to produce a stable, high-quality compost that complies with the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and supports circular economy goals. Developing such a composting process introduces several technical and operational difficulties. Dried sludge contains variable levels of moisture, nitrogen, pathogens, and organic matter, which can affect mixing, aeration, and stabilization. Green waste presents additional variability due to seasonal changes, differences in particle size, and inconsistent carbon content. Achieving and maintaining an appropriate carbon to nitrogen ratio, ensuring suitable aeration, and controlling odors are essential for process reliability. Moreover, the compost must undergo proper hygienisation to meet safety requirements. The increasing regulatory emphasis on micropollutants, microplastics, and heavy metals in biosolids requires a comprehensive analytical programme. This includes regular monitoring with validated laboratory methods to ensure that the final product is safe for agricultural use and aligned with emerging EU quality criteria. Infrastructure limitations, such as the equipment and space, may further affect the consistency and scalability of the process. A major regulatory challenge arises from the Cypriot legislation, which imposes strict restrictions on where the products may be applied. These restrictions can limit the potential uses of the compost and complicate the process of placing such a product on the market. Furthermore, transitioning from a material currently given free to farmers to a commercial product introduces economic and acceptance barriers. Farmers may be hesitant to purchase compost from sludge. However, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment or Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization, can provide benefits to support farmers in purchasing such products, which may facilitate adoption and improve acceptance This abstract outlines the initial considerations for establishing a co-composting approach for sludge and green waste in Larnaka District. It presents the main technical, regulatory, analytical, and market challenges that EOAL must address to produce a safe, compliant, and usable compost within the framework of Cyprus legislation and evolving EU policy.

Sludge from wastewater treatment plants is an important by-product that can provide valuable nutrients and organic matter when applied in agriculture. However, it also contains harmful contaminants for soil, water resources, and human health including heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and persistent organic pollutants. Ongoing legislation on sewage sludge do not account for most of these new pollutants, and therefore its management is subjected to increasing pressures from local environmental regulations, local agricultural needs and national policy priorities. There are strong differences between countries in the Mediterranean Sea regarding the generation, treatment, reuse, and disposal of sewage sludge. Agricultural application to land is still the most common way for recovering the nutrients and organic matter found in sewage sludge and returning them to the soil, but there are considerable differences between countries on national regulations, climate, soil conditions, public opinion, and availability of other methods of treating sewage sludge. The Interreg NEXT MED Sludge2Energy project aim at exploring innovative sewage sludge management practices built upon solar drying, pyrolysis, and overall sludge recovery with energy/ biochar production. The first step of the project is to assess the existing sludge management practices of the various countries involved, and to provide a common baseline for the future environmental, technical, and socio-economic evaluation. The various participating Mediterranean countries include Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, each having their own respective regulatory and operational conditions. This work outlines the overall methodology for collecting and comparing national sewage sludge management practices from the various countries. The study focuses on sludge volume production, treatment technologies, recovery and disposal options; regulatory frameworks, and the significance of applying sludge to agricultural land, with added emphasis on pollutant, limitations. A preliminary review of the information from the countries participating found that the management of sewage sludge across countries varies and has different management practices and laws. Italy has regulations for agricultural uses of treated sewage sludge for specific reuse criteria and application conditions. However, the amount of sludge used directly in agriculture compared to other management practices is very small when examining the entire population of biosolids in the Italian waste management system. The database that will be developed as the outcome of this work will also provide baseline data for the future environmental, economic and social assessment tasks associated with the project, which will help to assess and evaluate the innovative technologies to convert wastewater sludge to energy and how they can contribute to the Circular Economy and help mitigate climate change.

Operating the Sewage Sludge Solar Drying and Composting Unit in Rethymno

The rapid expansion of wastewater treatment infrastructure in Türkiye has led to a significant increase in the volume of sewage sludge generated, making sludge management a critical environmental and technical challenge. While progress has been made in sludge stabilization and disposal methods, major gaps remain in developing environmentally safe and economically feasible strategies. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of current sewage sludge management in Türkiye, focusing on regulatory frameworks, treatment technologies, and end-use applications. It places special emphasis on the energy recovery potential of biochemical and thermochemical processes, such as anaerobic digestion, incineration, and gasification. These technologies not only help reduce the volume and environmental impacts of sludge but also contribute to Türkiye’s renewable energy targets. However, several barriers exist, including technical limitations, high capital requirements, and the lack of a national integrated sludge management strategy. Based on an assessment of current field practices and national data, this study proposes a roadmap for sustainable sludge utilization. It highlights the need for regional planning, policy alignment, and investment in innovative energy recovery systems. By utilizing sewage sludge in accordance with circular economy principles, Türkiye could transform this waste stream into a valuable resource, contributing to both environmental protection and energy security.

The agricultural reuse of treated sewage sludge recovers nutrients and organic matter, but it may also transfer potentially harmful constituents, heavy metals, pathogens and contaminants of emerging concern such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal-care products (PPCPs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to soils and crops, raising questions over its long-term safety (Mejías et al., 2021; Ghisi et al., 2019). Within the Sludge2Energy project, which develops pyrolysis of dried sewage sludge as an alternative to direct land application, this study addresses a central question: is there really a measurable threat in fields that receive sludge? To answer it, a monitoring database was assembled combining the characterisation of the applied sludge, of receiving soils sampled before and after application, and of the crops grown on them. The sludge was characterised over successive production batches for its agronomic properties (pH, dry-solids and organic-matter content, nitrogen and phosphorus), for regulated heavy metals (cadmium, copper, nickel, lead, zinc, mercury and chromium) and for microbiological quality. Sludge-amended and control soils were analysed for a broad suite of physicochemical parameters, pH, electrical conductivity, texture, organic matter, macro- and micronutrients, together with the same heavy metals and, in a dedicated screening campaign, with pesticides, PPCPs and PFAS in both soil and plant tissue. Across the dataset, the heavy-metal content of the sludge remained comfortably within the applicable regulatory limits for agricultural use, and its microbiological indicators were consistently low. Receiving soils, whether sampled before or after sludge application, showed heavy-metal concentrations well below regulatory thresholds and physicochemical properties typical of the local agricultural land, with no systematic deterioration attributable to sludge. In the organic-micropollutant screening, PFAS were consistently below detection in both soil and plant matrices, PPCPs were largely absent, and pesticide residues were sparse and confined mainly to plant tissue, the detected compounds being current-use crop-protection products rather than sludge-specific markers. Taken together, these results provide a reassuring baseline: under the management practices observed, the sludge applied and the fields receiving it show heavy-metal, pathogen and organic-micropollutant levels that remain within safe ranges, with no evidence of accumulation in soils or crops. While continued multi-season monitoring is needed to confirm these findings and to capture cumulative effects, the evidence suggests that the contaminant threat from sludge reuse is limited, and reinforces the value of upgrading residual sludge through pyrolysis within Sludge2Energy.

(CECs) are not only persistent but can also be taken up by crops and accumulate in aquatic ecosystems, posing substantial risks to both human health and the integrity of natural environments.

Tackling this complex challenge demands innovative and sustainable solutions. Two main strategies are being explored: (a) the integration of advanced treatment processes at centralized wastewater treatment plants, which must manage low concentrations of CECs across large daily flows; or (b) the deployment of on-site treatment systems at point sources such as hospitals, where CECs are discharged at significantly higher concentrations.

The primary objective of the HIPPOCRATEs project is to evaluate whether on-site treatment of hospital wastewater can achieve high removal efficiency and cost-effectiveness at a large demonstration scale, operating continuously throughout the year across diverse European regions—specifically comparing the operational performance in southern and northern climates. The treatment technology under investigation is a combined anoxic/aerobic membrane biological reactor (MBR), designed to degrade organic matter, followed by an advanced oxidation process using UV/H2O2 to further break down persistent pollutants.

A key aspect of this initiative is ensuring that the treated water is safe and suitable for agricultural applications. By reusing treated wastewater for irrigation, the project not only reduces the environmental burden of freshwater extraction but also helps alleviate water stress in regions where water scarcity is a pressing issue. This approach supports the circular economy by turning wastewater from a liability into a valuable resource, while simultaneously minimizing the risk of contaminating natural water bodies and agricultural land with CECs.

As part of the LIFE program, this project also aims to inform and support the development of new EU policies and regulations. The outcomes will directly contribute to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD), and the new EU Regulation 2020/741 on minimum requirements for water reuse. Notably, Annex 2 of Regulation 2020/741 emphasizes the need for additional monitoring of micropollutants—such as pharmaceuticals, antimicrobial resistance, and other emerging contaminants—where necessary to ensure adequate protection of human, animal, and environmental health. The results from the HIPPOCRATES project will provide essential data and practical guidance for the development and enforcement of national legislation on wastewater treatment and reuse. By advancing both technological innovation and policy frameworks, the project will play a pivotal role in promoting safe, sustainable water reuse and protecting ecosystems and public health across Europe.

The CLEAR project described here is a scientific research initiative related to biosafety. The CLEAR project in Cyprus (Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenal is in Cyprus' Leafy Greens and Water Resources) is a research initiative aimed at improving food and water biosafety by detecting and understanding parasitic contamination in Cyprus' water and leafy green sources. The role of water and food in the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis is well recognised. Due to the challenges of isolation and detection in environmental samples, currently available methods are difficult and costly, and their use by diagnostic laboratories is limited. The Key Aspects of the CLEAR Project are: a) The project, under the umbrella of One Health, examines the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in water sources and leafy vegetables to ensure public safety in Cyprus; b) It aims to improve food and water security by mitigating the risks posed by these parasites. It is a research initiative aligned with the "co-develop" initiative in Cyprus, emphasising collaborative research. The goal is to develop a simple monitoring assay for Giardia and Cryptosporidium, the most prominent waterborne and foodborne protozoan parasites. Yet, water and vegetables, where ambient concentrations are expected, pose a particularly challenging detection problem. The prospect of simple, online, real-time monitoring of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in surface water and leafy greens is realistic. First and promising results will be reported.

Hospitals play a critical role in the maintenance of public health. However, hospital wastewater (HWW), which are generated from various hospital departments and support services, contains elevated concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds, pathogens, (multi-)resistant bacteria and their resistance genes, often exceeding the respective concentrations in municipal wastewater (Verburg et al. 2019). Although the management and discharge of the HWW differ among countries, in Europe, these effluents are transferred to the centralized Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) either directly or following on-site pre-treatment process using activated sludge process and disinfection (Verlicchi, 2018 from Arvaniti et al., 2023).  The removal of emerging micropollutants, pathogens and resistant bacteria, is usually inadequate, as they are primarily designed to reduce the organic load. Consequently, the implementation of specialized on-site treatment systems, could provide an effective solution for mitigating the release of such contaminants into surface water bodies after wastewater treatment. In view of the abovementioned, the effectiveness of an on-site demonstration unit combining four technologies a) Αnaerobic Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor, AnMΒBR (biological), b) aerobic Membrane Biological Reactor (MBR), c) Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) unit using UV radiation and addition of H2O2, and d) chlorine disinfection unit, was evaluated for the overall removal of the micropollutants identified in the recent EU Directive 2024/3019. Mean concentrations of target micropollutants (μg/L) were determined in hospital wastewater, the demonstration unit effluent, and municipal wastewater influent. Hospital wastewater showed the highest concentrations for Sulfamethoxazole (2.664 ± 5.279 μg/L) and Metoprolol (0.671 ± 0.269 μg/L), while most other pharmaceuticals ranged between 0.02–0.19 μg/L. Treatment with the AnMBBR–MBR unit reduced concentrations of most compounds, achieving the highest removal rates for Metoprolol (93%), Sulfamethoxazole (73%), and Clarithromycin (66%), although no significant reduction was observed for Amisulpride, Irbesartan, Candesartan, and Diclofenac. Compared to hospital wastewater, municipal influent generally exhibited lower pharmaceutical concentrations, confirming hospitals as important point sources of pharmaceuticals such as Sulfamethoxazole and Metoprolol (Äystö et al., 2023). In contrast, benzotriazoles (H-BTR and Mix 5-TTR + 4-TTR) were more abundant in municipal wastewater, suggesting predominantly urban diffuse sources. The results highlight the potential of combined on-site treatment technologies to improve the management of hospital wastewater and reduce the release of hazardous micropollutants into the aquatic environment.

The EU water reuse regulation (2020/741) identifies a knowledge gap concerning potential human health risks from micropollutant accumulation, including pharmaceuticals, in crops irrigated with reclaimed water. Greywater (GW), particularly from sinks and showers, is considered suitable for reuse due to its lower organic load compared to blackwater (Zraunig et al., 2019). This study examined the fate of pharmaceuticals in light GW reused in a decentralized hydroponic system growing lettuce and mint, focusing on plant growth and human health risk assessment (HHRA). During the low tourist season, light GW was collected from hotel guestroom sinks and showers in Lloret de Mar, Spain. Lettuce and mint were cultivated in hydroponic channels using three water types: 1) control with clean nutrient solution (CTRL); 2) untreated GW; and 3) GW amended with nutrients (GW+). Water was refreshed biweekly; crops were harvested after 4 weeks. Plant growth was evaluated through metrics like relative growth rate and leaf weight ratio (Pérez-Harguindeguy et al., 2013). Sixty pharmaceuticals were analysed via UPLC-QqLIT (Montemurro et al., 2020). HHRA was assessed by comparing estimated daily intake (EDI) with thresholds such as the lowest daily therapeutic dose (Snyder et al., 2010) and the threshold of toxicological concern (Kroes et al., 2004). The study assessed the potential of treated GW to support plant growth and the associated accumulation of pharmaceuticals. While GW alone could support plant growth, it lacked sufficient nutrients, resulting in lower leaf count, dry weight, and leaf area compared to CTRL. Nutrient depletion, specifically total nitrogen and phosphorus, was observed after 3.5 days in the system. Plants grown in GW showed signs of nutrient stress, such as higher root mass and smaller, thicker leaves. However, plants grown in GW+ showed enhanced growth, producing greater dry weight, larger leaves, and higher photosynthetic efficiency than CTRL plants. Pharmaceutical accumulation was also evaluated in edible (leaves/stems) and non-edible (roots) parts of lettuce. Few compounds (e.g., acetaminophen, atenolol, azithromycin, citalopram, metoprolol and its transformation product metoprolol acid, propanol, sotalol, triclosan, trimethoprim) were detected in the roots. Only a few compounds (e.g., levamisole, hydrochlorothiazide, and codeine) were found in edible parts, with levels slightly lower in GW+ than in GW. A HHRA based on EDI of levamisole showed exposure levels far below safety thresholds, suggesting no health risks even with lifelong consumption of such lettuce. This indicates that while GW can be enhanced for better plant growth, pharmaceutical uptake remains minimal and within safe limits. Reusing light GW in hydroponic agriculture did not impair plant health, inducing minor morphological adaptations. Pharmaceutical uptake was minimal, and the detected compounds in edible parts posed no health concern. These findings support the viability of decentralized GW reuse for hydroponic food production and sustainable irrigation in tourism-related facilities.

Global freshwater scarcity (1) affects roughly 10% of the world’s population year-round and exposes an estimated 4 billion people to at least one month of water stress annually, posing significant risks to public health, agriculture, and economic growth. Greywater and secondary effluents from decentralized facilities (hotels, small industry, healthcare) represent an untapped resource that could substantially alleviate water stress through safe reuse, particularly for irrigation and non-potable applications. However, current tertiary treatment technologies for greywater reuse such as reverse osmosis (2) and advanced oxidation are energy-intensive (2–5 kWh/m³), generate up to 40% brine waste, require complex maintenance, and involve high operational costs, limiting their use in decentralized and off-grid settings. Hereby, we present a set of novel-materials, based on visible light photocatalysis Core-Cell structures, aiming to facilitate a tertiary polishing process for irrigation and non-potable reuse. The photocatalytic stage composed of structurally modified TiO2 core materials (3), decorated by QCDs (Quantum Cabron Dots) (4) has been lab -tested for their photocatalytic efficiency based on the decolorization of methylene blue (MB) dye, under a liquid catalysis process, utilizing both indoor and outdoor (solar) lighting sources.  These unique combinational materials are rated as potentially effective candidates that promote photocatalytic processes that can oxidise and mineralise refractory organics and inactivates pathogens; Compared with conventional Reverse Osmosis based tertiary trains, these materials, incorporated in a conventional Compound Parabolic Collector (CPC), followed by an incumbent Capacitive Deionization (CDI) system, may altimetry lead to a unique prototype combinational system process that could enable cost effective off grid and/or solar assisted operation, cut secondary waste generation by >80%, reduce chemical dosing by >90%, and lower energy use by ~30–60%. Socially and economically, such system may improve local water security, in areas such as South European countries with amble sun-light all year round, potentially saving millions of cubic meters of freshwater annually and reducing wastewater nutrient loads that drive eutrophication. Environmentally, this set of materials/system combination aim at advancing circular water use and minimising hazardous secondary wastes.

Semi-permeable membrane covers used in industrial composting were traditionally built on laminates equipped with an ePTFE functional layer. However, perfluorinated compounds (PFAS/PFOS) were used during the production of these materials, which, due to their environmental risks, have come into the focus of the European Chemicals Agency's (ECHA) restriction proposal. Since market trends and expected EU regulations forecasted the phasing out of ePTFE membranes, the objective of the research was to develop a new, PFAS-free alternative cover material capable of replacing traditional technology in the environmental industry and waste management in the long term. As long-term industrial experience with alternative materials was not available, our primary task during the research was to develop a new series of accelerated aging tests and a corresponding methodology. This includes monitoring changes in the samples bursting strenght, air permeability, and water vapor resistance measurements, as well as conducting material fatigue tests. This procedure enabled the performance modeling of alternative membranes in accordance with the 4-5 year lifespan expected in the environmental technology industry. During the tests, we paid particular attention to the measurement of odor, ammonia, and VOC emissions, as well as testing the resistance to mechanical stress. In the development process, alongside technological parameters, various climatic conditions were also taken into account when optimizing cutting patterns and material structures. As a result of the project carried out in a joint consortium between the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences and ProfiKomp Environmental Technology Inc., we successfully created a validated, PFAS-free semi-permeable cover material that complies with BAT-BREF technological standards and strict environmental requirements. Comparative analyses demonstrated that the emission indicators and functional performance of the developed material reached or exceeded the levels of traditional ePTFE laminates.

The development of water-saving irrigation techniques is more crucial than ever due to the rapid global climate change and the need of water resource conservation. Using treated wastewater emerges as a sustainable option to meet the expanding irrigation demands (Ait-Mouheb et al., 2018). Moreover, micro-irrigation techniques (e.g., drip irrigation) might allow saving up to 90% of water (versus ~50% with surface irrigation techniques). In micro-irrigation systems, drippers are composed of a flow path with a labyrinth conformation and an outlet chamber. However, drippers are sensitive to clogging due to the labyrinth conformation, slow flow rate and small flow section (close to 1 mm3). Clogging problems can affect the water delivery uniformity along the pipe and increase maintenance costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and biofouling of drip irrigation systems at the field scale during irrigation with treated wastewater. Six 100-m lines of commercial pipes with two dripper types (flow rate, Q, of 0.65 L h^-1 and 1.5 L h^-1, respectively) were monitored for four months. Different zones along the pipes were selected to evaluate the influence of hydrodynamical conditions (Reynolds number = 5400 to 0) on biofouling. Destructive methods involving the biofilm extraction by mechanical means, showed little biofilm development without significant differences in dry and organic matter content in function of the sampling location along the pipe or dripper flow rate (Q0.65 and Q1.5). These results were confirmed by non-destructive methods, such as optical coherence tomography, that nevertheless showed that biofouling concerned 15-20% of the total dripper labyrinth volume. Total organic carbon monitoring and its composition (by three-dimensional excitation and emission matrix fluorescence microscopy) showed that the biofilm did not significantly influence the organic matter nature. Our results indicated that the biological activity and biofilm development in irrigation systems were more affected by the environmental conditions, particularly water temperature, rather than flow conditions. This confirmed that treated wastewater with low organic content can be used in micro-irrigation systems without significant loss of efficiency, even in conditions requiring intensive irrigation, such as the Mediterranean climate (Moulia et al. 2024).

Hospital wastewater constitutes a major source of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which are largely diluted and undetected once discharged into municipal sewage systems. The LIFE-HIPPOCRATES project (101113941, LIFE22-ENV-EL-HIPPOCRATES) addresses this challenge through the design, installation and operation of an on-site demonstration treatment unit at the Venizeleio General Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, designed to remove CECs, ARBs and ARGs directly at source, prior to discharge into the main sewage network.

Following installation in early 2025, the unit entered a structured operational framework comprising four distinct phases, start-up and stabilisation, operational optimisation, full performance evaluation and long-term validation, allowing systematic technical assessment under real hospital effluent conditions. Continuous monitoring was carried out at four critical sampling points along the treatment train (raw influent, mixed liquor, membrane bioreactor output, and final effluent after advanced oxidation and disinfection), covering both physicochemical parameters (BOD, COD, TSS/VSS, nitrogen species, total phosphorus) and microbiological indicators.

This presentation reports the key operational findings from the unit's first year of real-world operation. Results demonstrate high mean removal efficiencies for BOD (95.5%), COD (86.8%), TSS (96.7%), VSS (97.7%) and ammonium nitrogen (99.8%), alongside substantial reductions in total coliforms, E. coli, enterococci and Pseudomonas spp., confirming effective organic matter, solids and microbiological removal. In contrast, total nitrogen (56.4%) and total phosphorus (8.4%) removal were markedly lower, highlighting specific process limitations related to incomplete denitrification and limited phosphorus removal capacity.

Critically, the initial treatment configuration required in-field reconfiguration to meet performance targets under real operating conditions, and a dedicated three-week consecutive-sampling campaign revealed that the hospital's existing aerated holding tank was unintentionally pre-treating the wastewater and masking the true variability of the raw influent. Based on these findings, the installation of a dedicated equalisation tank fed directly from the upstream sewer manhole was proposed and implemented, aimed at homogenising influent characteristics, reducing shock loads, and improving feed stability to the biological process.

By presenting real operating data alongside the practical troubleshooting and optimisation measures that followed, this work offers field-tested guidance for the operation, replication and scale-up of decentralised on-site hospital wastewater treatment systems, in line with the broader objectives of the LIFE-HIPPOCRATES project.

In recent years, there have been increasing efforts to promote the implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in domestic wastewater treatment. The new EU directive for Wastewater Treatment (EU 2024/3019) could easily lead to the conclusion that this new legislation creates opportunities for NBS in domestic wastewater treatment, by lowering the population threshold for mandatory sewage treatment from 2,000 person equivalents (p.e.) to 1,000 p.e.. However, the real situation is more complex and reveals a paradoxical conflict between the promotion of NBS and the practical, regulatory, and socio-economic challenges and constraints associated with their implementation. In fact, NBS (as any other relevant technology) serving less than 10,000 p.e. are excluded from the newly imposed effluent quality requirements, as well as from critical environmental and climate-related monitoring obligations, namely energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. However, this might not be entirely true.

The scientific community, moreover, is increasingly recognising contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), for example pharmaceuticals and personal care products, PFAS, microplastics and nanoplastics, and especially antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, as real threats to human health, environmental quality and biodiversity. This is likely to increase pressure for the relevant limits and monitoring requirements included in EU 2024/3019 to be expanded to all types and sizes of wastewater treatment facilities, and potentially to become stricter. Probably before that happens, the EU wastewater reuse regulation (EU 2020/741) could be amended to impose stricter quality thresholds for CECs in reusable effluents, as a response to the above-mentioned risk concerns. There is a large volume of raw-eaten vegetables that are currently irrigated with treated wastewater in which, however, CECs are not monitored. It should be noted that Regulation 2020/741 is a legal document that is far less strict than any of the national wastewater reuse legislations in the southern European states (Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, among others). This change could partially come about because central wastewater treatment facilities will be able to achieve improved quality standards as a direct result of the EU 2024/3019 requirements.

This in return could create a paradox, where a decentralised wastewater treatment facility, such as an NBS, may comply with disposal legislation but will be unable to support effluent reuse, because reuse legislation will apply stricter limitations equally across sewage treatment facilities, regardless of size. The effect of this on NBS development and operation could be devastating, especially in the Mediterranean basin, where climate crisis adaptation will require the utilisation of all available water resources. Based on the above, it is clear that NBS need to demonstrate that they can be upgraded to achieve the anticipated standards, regardless of whether this is legally required at the moment, in order to secure their future role in wastewater treatment and reuse.

Efficient municipal solid waste collection depends on timely, trustworthy operational data that is seldom available to local authorities (Sosunova et al., 2022; Hussain, et al. 2024). We present FleetSense (PIKEI – New Technologies, 2026), a deployed cloud native Internet-of-Things (IoT) and cloud platform (Karadimas et al., 2025) that instruments a refuse-collection fleet of trucks, operated for a Greek municipality, with satellite positioning and on-board bin-weighing system installed with minimum intervention, so that every collection round yields a stream of geolocated weighing events.
On truck bin weighing is based on the pressure readings of a pressure sensor installed to the hydraulic lifting system along with IMUs (Inertial Measurement Units) installed on the truck platform (Karadimas et al., 2025). Sensor readings, geo locations and data coming from truck’s (ECU Electronic Control Unit) are the telemetry data published over cellular network to MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport), stored to the data lake (managed time-series database), and exposed through a cached query layer to a real-time web dashboard. The dashboard offers to the end user live vehicle tracking and service status, per-vehicle routes segmented by working shift, collection-density heat maps, automatic identification of recurrently serviced bin locations, and statistics of collected mass and bin lifts aggregated per vehicle, per collection area and per day, week or month.
To address the raw pressure readings drift, an effective-dated calibration model and a reproducible, versioned correction pipeline recompute mass from stored raw values that are validated against weighbridge measurements, keeping reported quantities consistent across every view. On this quality-controlled data foundation the platform provides analytical and predictive services. Short-term generation forecasts are computed per vehicle, per collection area and for the whole fleet at daily, weekly and monthly horizons using Holt's double-exponential smoothing, with automatic detection of weekly seasonality and 95% prediction intervals that quantify uncertainty rather than reporting point estimates alone. Complementary components apply statistical anomaly detection to collected mass and sensor behaviour, flagging miscalibrated or failing pressure sensors, and monitor per-vehicle data quality to distinguish genuine non-collection from instrumentation loss.
The same foundation defines concrete opportunities beyond current practice: enriching generation forecasts with exogenous covariates such as calendar effects, local events and meteorological conditions; predicting area-level demand to enable demand-driven rather than fixed-schedule collection and prescriptive route optimisation; estimating container fill state from historical lift patterns; and constructing a digital twin of the collection network for scenario analysis. The platform couples a validated measurement pipeline with interpretable forecasting to give operators an evidence base for route optimisation, cost control and transparent waste management, and establishes a reproducible basis on which more advanced predictive methods can be assessed.

Food loss and waste (FLW) stem from structural problems within the current agrifood system and entail social, economic and environmental consequences. Food losses (FL) at the primary production stage have often been neglected, particularly in the European Union (EU), where a definition of FL is missing (Directive (EU) 2018/851, 2018). Consequently, their quantification is not required by Member States (MS) under Delegated Decision 2019/1597. However, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) does define FL (FAO, 2019), and their reduction is included in the Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations, 2015), to which EU MS are committed. Considering its wide-ranging impacts across the territory (Shahbazi et al., 2025), especially the economic implications for the primary sector, further research on FL is needed to establish effective measures for the prevention and reduction of this problem. Gleaning tackles FL by redistributing surplus produce from fields to social organisations, contributing to food security and raising awareness on FLW. It also emerges as a tool to better understand such issue by conducting direct measurements and identifying its main causes, thereby enabling the collection of context-specific information that supports the development of solutions adapted to the realities of each territory. For this case study, data were collected in Catalonia between May 2021 and November 2025 through gleaning activities, using a mixed-methods approach that combined quantitative and qualitative data. To estimate potential FL, understood as the production that would have remained in the field if it had not been gleaned, direct measurements took place (n = 547), covering 40 crop types grouped into seven categories: (I) stone and pome fruits, (II) citrus fruits, (III) bulbs, tubers and roots, (IV) fruit vegetables, (V) leafy vegetables, (VI) inflorescence vegetables, and (VII) legumes. For each measurement, potential FL (kg/ha) were estimated. The main FL causes were identified through semi-structured interviews (n = 494) based on six dimensions (Vidal-Monés, 2021): aesthetic requirements of crops, low prices, lack of personnel, absence of buyers for harvested produce, inadequate in-farm infrastructures, and absence of competitive processing plants. The data were statistically analysed to calculate the average potential FL in the plots under study, identify the main causes, and determine significant differences in the magnitude and FL causes between different crop types. This study provides a novel contribution to the quantification of FL and the understanding its causes through gleaning, highlighting its potential as a sustainable tool for knowledge generation through direct measurements and FL reduction.

Food waste in meal services is increasingly recognised as a sustainability challenge, yet research has largely focused on schools, hospitals and restaurants (Eriksson et al., 2025). In contrast, municipal care settings, such as elderly care homes, remain underexplored, despite facing a dual challenge: substantial food waste alongside a high prevalence of undernutrition (Borgström Bolmsjö et al., 2015; Swedish Food Agency, 2025). This creates a critical inefficiency, where nutritionally adequate meals are prepared but under-consumed, undermining both environmental sustainability and health outcomes. This study presents a research project conducted in collaboration with Uppsala Municipality, Sweden, aiming to reduce edible food waste while improving food intake and well-being in municipal care. The project builds on established methods for food waste quantification and intervention design developed in school, hospital and household contexts (Malefors et al., 2024; Sjölund et al., 2025; Sundin et al., 2024), now adapted to care environments. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining continuous quantitative measurement of food waste using smart bins that capture each waste event, including serving waste and plate waste, with timestamps, weights, and images, with qualitative methods such as interviews and observations with care staff and residents. Waste composition is assessed based on recorded data, enabling environmental, economic and nutritional analyses. These insights are used in co-design processes with care staff to develop and implement interventions, including sensory and environmental modifications and adjustments to mealtime practices aimed at increasing food intake and thereby reducing food waste. Interventions are implemented using a quasi-experimental design with intervention and comparison units, and their effectiveness is evaluated in both short- and longer-term perspectives. Preliminary results will be presented, including baseline levels of edible food waste, identification of key waste streams, and initial insights into drivers of both serving and plate waste, as well as low food intake. Intake is estimated indirectly by linking food waste data with menu and food production data, enabling assessment of overall consumption patterns and associated nutrient losses. The project further develops a co-created intervention toolbox targeting identified drivers. Planned analyses will assess outcomes across environmental, nutritional, and economic dimensions, enabling a more integrated understanding of food waste prevention in care contexts. By explicitly linking food waste to food intake, this study challenges the conventional separation between sustainability and health perspectives in public meals. It positions uneaten food not only as an environmental and economic loss, but also as a missed nutritional opportunity in vulnerable populations. The findings are expected to contribute empirical data and methodological advances, supporting municipalities in developing meal services that are not only efficient but also effective in delivering intended nutritional value.

Food waste is frequently addressed as a technical inefficiency of food supply chains or a consequence of inadequate consumer awareness; however, its persistence across affluent societies suggests a broader contradiction between food availability, consumption patterns and environmental pressure. This study investigates food waste within the wider context of overconsumption and sustainability outcomes using cross-country indicators from the Our World in Data database. A comparative typology of countries is constructed based on metrics reflecting food system abundance and impact, including daily dietary energy supply per capita, prevalence of obesity, dietary composition approximated through animal-source food intensity, and environmental pressure proxies such as greenhouse gas emissions and agricultural land use. Where available, food loss and waste indicators are used to contextualise inefficiencies across the food chain while maintaining a clear distinction between supply-chain losses and consumer-level waste. The analysis identifies consistent macro-level patterns: countries characterised by high food availability and resource-intensive diets tend to exhibit higher environmental pressure and greater systemic inefficiency, revealing a structural gap between material abundance and responsible consumption, whereas countries combining sufficient availability with moderated consumption patterns display lower systemic pressure. These findings indicate that food waste cannot be interpreted solely as a logistical failure but as part of a broader behavioural and normative imbalance linked to excess consumption. Based on these results, the study proposes food ethics as an interpretative framework connecting material outcomes with behavioural responsibility, encompassing moderation, respect for resources, consideration of environmental limits and awareness of animal impacts. Within this perspective, food citizenship emerges as the observable behavioural expression of ethical internalisation reflected in consumption patterns consistent with lower systemic pressure. By integrating cross-country empirical patterns with a normative framework, the study contributes a conceptual-empirical approach to food waste prevention and supports the view that long-term reduction of waste depends not only on efficiency measures but also on value-oriented behavioural change embedded in food citizenship.

Household food waste is influenced by household composition and everyday food practices (e.g. Schanes et al., 2018; Secondi et al., 2015). The aim of this study was to compare the amount, composition and causes of avoidable food waste in households with and without children. The data were collected during 2021–2022 by Finnish students as part of higher education courses on sustainable food systems. Food waste was classified by food category and reason for disposal. Participating students recorded and weighed all avoidable food waste generated in their households for one week. Records with incomplete background information or weighing data were excluded. In total, data from 431 households (889 persons) were included in the analysis. Of these, 95 were households with children (353 persons) and 336 households without children (536 persons). The distribution of food waste showed differences between household types. Households with children generated approximately 1.6 kg of avoidable food waste per household per week, whereas households without children generated approximately 0.8 kg. The generation of food waste per person was approximately 20% higher in households without children. Clear differences were observed in both the composition and causes of food waste. In households with children, higher levels of waste were observed particularly in bread, rice and pasta products, as well as convenience foods. Several causes contributed to food waste, especially plate waste, spoilage, and food preferences. Food waste was often linked to preparing too much food and uneaten portions at mealtimes. In households without children, food waste was more strongly associated with spoilage and products exceeding their use-by or best-before date. High waste levels were observed, especially in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Plate waste was less common in these households. In households with children, food waste was associated with several different causes. These were mainly linked to meal situations and everyday family practices. In households without children, spoilage and expired products accounted for a larger share of food waste. Here, in the latter case, food waste was strongly related to food storage and slower consumption. In households with children, efforts should focus on meal planning, portion sizes and leftover management. The findings indicate that measures in food waste prevention should be tailored to different household types, i.e., to mechanisms behind food waste generation.

Food waste is a multifaceted phenomenon influenced by individual, collective, and systemic behavioural patterns. It affects various social contexts and thus represents a central element of the sustainability of food systems. In this context, school canteens play a key role, as they have a significant influence on eating habits and dietary choices. For this reason, school food service facilities represent key areas for action in the prevention of food waste. As part of the foodCIRCUS project, funded by Interreg Central Europe, the implementation of waste prevention measures in school food service focuses on the two Austrian regions of Vienna and Lower Austria in order to account for both urban and rural conditions. As part of initial measurements, food waste was examined between February and June 2025. In total, 23 institutions were surveyed. At all schools, sorting analyses were conducted on two dates that had been coordinated with the respective educational institutions. The objective of these surveys was to collect and systematically evaluate quantitative and qualitative data on the amount, composition, and points of origin of food waste. The sorting analyses involved differentiating and quantifying the collected food waste according to its origin, composition and type. A total of 6,187 portions were delivered across the 23 educational institutions, corresponding to 3,204 kg of food. Of this, 1,444 kg of food waste was analysed. This corresponds to an average loss rate (ratio between the amount of food waste and the quantity of food delivered to the institutions) of 44%. The loss ratio ranged between 27% and 59%. On average, 544 g of food per child was delivered to the schools, but only 310 g per child was consumed. This means that 244 g per child were discarded. Furthermore, the results highlight that particularly the serving leftovers (24%) represent a key area for future measures aimed at reducing food waste, while plate waste (9%) and unserved food (7% or 3%) present comparatively smaller but still relevant opportunities for improvement. When measured against the quantities delivered for each course, especially high loss rates were observed for soups (48%) and salads (63%). The loss rate for thickened soups is notably higher at 61%, compared to the loss rate for clear soups (42%). Consequently, children, on average, prefer clear soups over thickened ones. Additionally, it is noticeable that the number of children present at almost all institutions is lower than the planned attendance. On the survey days, around half of the institutions were missing 10% or more of the children originally registered for the meals.

Household food waste is a result of a complex series of individual behaviours and social interactions. Tackling household food waste is essential, as it accounts for over half of food waste generated in the EU (Eurostat, 2023). Different types of households vary in their routines and root causes of food waste, as well as their values and motivations to avoid food waste. Motivational interviewing is a behaviour change method that has been successfully applied in several areas of health behaviour change (Rubak et al., 2005), and, to a lesser extent, environmental behaviour change (e.g. Herzing et al., 2023). Based on self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2024), the method aims to support one’s intrinsic motivation to change behaviour, through empathetic listening and encouraging change talk. The aim is to support the interviewee to pick their goals and actions themselves, to achieve changes that are meaningful for them and fit their personal values and goals. In Wastefocus project, we are exploring the possibilities of motivational interviewing to strengthen motivation to avoid food waste and to encourage changes in daily routines that result in household food waste. We conduct a survey (N=1000), household motivational interviews (N=6), and an intervention (N=100) to reduce household food waste in Finland. To achieve household food waste reductions at a societal level, scalability of the behaviour change method is essential. In this presentation, I will present preliminary results from the household interviews and discuss how these results will be used to formulate an AI assisted intervention procedure that scales up the method at the next phase of the project.

Dietary shifts toward more plant-based consumption are widely regarded as necessary for improving the environmental sustainability of food systems, yet their implications for household food waste remain unclear. While food waste is often treated independently of dietary patterns, differences in food types, perishability, and preparation practices may influence both the quantity and composition of waste generated. This study investigates whether vegetarian and non-vegetarian households differ in their food waste levels using high-resolution data from digital quantification systems. The study uses a dataset consisting of continuously collected measurements of household food waste from digitally installed quantification systems that have collected data for at least 6 months and up to over a year. The systems record both weight and image data for each individual waste event, enabling high-resolution analysis of total waste generation and temporal variation. In addition to total quantities, waste composition is examined by separating avoidable and unavoidable fractions, allowing for assessment of reduction potential across dietary groups. Given the substantial day-to-day variability in household food waste, the study focuses on identifying systematic differences between dietary groups while accounting for fluctuations over time. Patterns in both average waste levels and variation are explored to better understand how dietary practices may relate to food waste behaviour. Additionally, the study analyses whether potential differences are consistent over time or driven by occasional high-waste events, which are known to disproportionately influence household averages. The study aims to provide insights into whether dietary patterns are associated with differences in food waste generation levels as well as food waste composition. By linking individual dietary choices to food waste, the study will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how food waste is generated in different household contexts. The findings have implications for policy and intervention design, particularly in assessing whether food waste reduction strategies should be tailored to specific dietary groups or addressed through more general approaches targeting household behaviour. More broadly, the study contributes to understanding how shifts toward more plant-based diets may relate to food waste generation, highlighting potential synergies as well as trade-offs between sustainability goals.

Household food waste remains a major sustainability challenge, with significant environmental, economic, and social consequences. In the UK, households are responsible for approximately 70% of total food waste, much of which is linked to how food leftovers are managed at home. While previous research has examined general household food waste drivers, less attention has been devoted to the specific behavioural processes underlying different leftover reuse practices. To address this gap, this study applies the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) model to examine three leftover reuse behaviours: (1) reheating leftovers, (2) transforming leftovers into new dishes, and (3) packing, storing, or freezing leftovers for future use. Data were collected through an online survey of UK households (n=596). The survey measured the six COM-B components (i.e., physical and psychological capability, social and physical opportunity, and reflective and automatic motivation), as well as self-reported frequencies of leftover reuse behaviours. Self-reported food waste and socio-demographic characteristics were also collected. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to examine the relative contribution of COM-B components to each behaviour and the association between behaviours and food waste levels. The SEM results suggest distinct behavioural pathways across three leftover reuse practices. For reheating and storing, capability and social opportunity did not show a significant direct effect on these behaviours. Instead, their effects operated indirectly through motivation, suggesting that having the necessary skills or social support alone is insufficient unless these factors enhance individuals’ motivational processes. In contrast, transforming leftovers showed a more complex pathway. Capability exerted both direct and indirect effects, indicating that culinary skills and knowledge can independently facilitate transformation practices, while also strengthening motivation. Social opportunity contributed only indirectly through motivation. Regarding food waste outcomes, more frequent reheating and transforming were associated with lower levels of food waste, whereas storing practices did not show a significant association. These findings suggest that not all leftover reuse behaviours contribute equally to food waste reduction, and interventions aiming to reduce household food waste should prioritise reheating and transforming practices. Overall, this study contributes to the Behaviour Change Wheel literature by extending the application of the COM-B framework to household food management behaviours and demonstrating that segments of the same behaviour may follow distinct behavioural pathways. In particular, it differentiates between reheating, transforming, and storing practices, showing that these behaviours are driven by different pathways rather than a uniform mechanism. The practical contribution of this study lies in informing intervention design, suggesting that interventions should be behaviour-specific and target the distinct capability, opportunity, and motivation mechanisms underlying each behaviour. Building on these findings, interventions aimed at reducing household food waste should enhance capability and social opportunity to strengthen motivation, thereby promoting reheating and transforming leftovers behaviours.

In Sweden, household food waste makes up about 48% of all food waste, according to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (2025), but the situation is complex, and the underlying causes of food waste are hard to capture in the short-term, because household waste generation is highly irregular and driven by sporadic high-impact events that are often smoothed in short-term averages. Existing literature often assumes food waste is evenly distributed across daily routines. Still, recent evidence suggests food waste is concentrated in a small number of high-impact events, though the specific causes of this concentration are not yet clear. This research aimed to identify and categorise the contextual drivers of these high-waste peak events and better understand the drivers of household food waste variability. Long-term food waste monitoring was performed in 12 Swedish households of varying demographics. A smart bin, Svinnson©️, was used to measure household food waste over periods ranging from 65 to 333 days. While analysing the quantified data, high-waste peak events were identified, which were further investigated using qualitative interviews with participating households to gain a better understanding of the context that was associated with these high-waste events. Peak analysis revealed that on average, 10% of days account for 70% of total avoidable waste across households. This has been investigated with the help of qualitative interviews with households, which gives a better understanding with respect to the peak analysis. The qualitative finding revealed that these causes can be grouped into different categories, including; i) poor storage management (e.g. rotten vegetable or fruits), ii) improper meal planning (e.g. overcooking, picky eating, leftover, and unexpected guests), iii) shopping practices (e.g. impulsive buying, buying bulk on discounts), and iv) consumer behaviour (e.g. uneaten pizza/bread crust, edible but passed the expiry date, improper peeling). These categories were observed across households with varying demographic backgrounds. The results show that various situational/contextual factors affect the overall food waste generation. Long-term monitoring and qualitative understanding of the food waste in households gives the opportunity to design context-specific interventions.

The separate collection of municipal bio-waste has become a key priority of European waste policy following the revised Waste Framework Directive, which requires Member States to ensure the separate collection or recycling of bio-waste at source from 2024 onwards. Despite expanding infrastructure, participation rates and household acceptance remain highly variable across Europe (Zero Waste Europe, 2024). Food waste constitutes a major fraction of municipal bio-waste, while households generate more than half of all food waste in the European Union (EUROSTAT, 2025; UNEP, 2024). Understanding citizens’ willingness to participate in separate food waste collection schemes and their actual behaviour is therefore essential for the success of urban bio-waste management systems (Allison et al., 2022, Soudon et al., 2024). In Hungary, organised separate bio-waste collection has only recently been introduced under Government Decree 559/2023. By 2024, the system covered selected urban areas in 14 cities and approximately 460,000 residents, while home composting remained an important alternative management practice (Kunszabó et al., 2022). However, limited evidence is available regarding public acceptance of separate food waste collection. This study aimed to identify household segments based on their attitudes towards separate food waste collection and to explore implications for targeted intervention strategies. Data were collected from 260 Hungarian households (covering 716 individuals) between November and December 2024. Participants completed a one-week food waste diary (the methodology is aligned with EU recommendations) and a post-survey containing Likert-scale statements on attitudes, barriers, incentives and practical considerations related to bio-waste collection. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and a two-step cluster analysis (Ward’s method and K-means) were applied. The PCA identified four dimensions influencing collection behaviour: attitudes, norms and incentives, perceived ease of operability, and practical needs. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct groups: Enthusiastic Supporters (42.3%), Experienced Supporters (38.5%) and Disengaged Households (19.2%). Significant differences were observed regarding housing type and composting practices (p < 0.001). Experienced Supporters showed the highest composting rate (88%) and were predominantly residents of detached houses, suggesting that previous experience with bio-waste management strongly supports acceptance. Enthusiastic Supporters expressed highly positive attitudes and strong practical demand for separate collection, while Disengaged Households scored lowest across all behavioural dimensions and reported limited motivation to participate. We recommend that instead of generic communication campaigns, segment-specific strategies should be applied combined with infrastructural measures and behaviour-change interventions tailored to different household profiles. Behavioural frameworks such as the COM-B model may support the design of interventions addressing capability, opportunity and motivation simultaneously (Michie et al., 2011; Allison et al., 2022). Such approaches could strengthen participation in urban bio-waste collection systems and support the achievement of EU recycling and food waste reduction targets.

A decade has passed since the UN resolved to halve per capita food waste by 2030 (United Nations General Assembly 2015). Despite these efforts, food waste remains a global issue, with consumers generating a majority of food waste (UNEP 2024). While households are responsible for the largest share of this waste, the food service sector also generate a significant amount (ibid.). Within this sector public catering is a space where many consumers may be reached, providing potential for early food waste interventions and reduced environmental impact (Feng et al. 2024). At the same time there is a lack of overview of intervention effectiveness and reproducibility for the public catering sector. We assessed food waste interventions in out-of-home settings to investigate what public catering establishments can do to reduce their food waste. To improve understanding of actual changes in food waste, we included studies with direct weighing methods. By applying a rapid review approach (meaning the systematic review method is streamlined for more timely results) we found 72 studies evaluating 140 interventions, where 60% reported a significant reduction in food waste. Recorded changes in food waste varied greatly across interventions, as did study design, making it difficult to claim which intervention is most effective. Most studies used convenience sampling when choosing participants or establishments and few randomized interventions between groups. The use of control groups for comparing intervention results was scarce, with only 6% of interventions using control groups. These are all factors that contribute to limiting the generalisation of the results. Most of the interventions were also evaluated for short time periods (51% in two weeks or less) and in few establishments (54% in one establishment), possibly leading to overstated effects of interventions, as neither seasonal variation of food waste nor variability in establishments is captured. Lastly, many of the interventions (68%) were assessed based solely on plate waste measurements. Possible implications are that if other food waste fractions increase during the intervention phase, e.g. serving waste, the total food waste level remains unknown. Future research should focus on efforts to improve reproducibility of interventions. This includes increased randomization, more robust and long-term food waste quantifications, and control groups.

The Region of Crete has made a strategic commitment to innovation across all economic sectors, guided by RIS3Crete, its Smart Specialisation Strategy for 2021–2027, focused on Culture-Tourism, Agri-food and Health, supported by Digital Technologies and Sustainable Resource Use as horizontal enablers. This Quadruple Helix approach, uniting enterprises, research bodies, public administration and civil society, revealed the need for a permanent bridge between business and academia. In response, the Region established the Innovation Business Observatory (IBO), which maps the island's innovation ecosystem through a dedicated Information System connecting around 3,700 companies, 177 research and academic laboratories, and a wider network of roughly 6,500 contacts. Among IBO's services, the Partnership Search facility stands out as a flagship tool: a free, permanent service through which businesses, research laboratories and innovation organisations seeking solutions, collaborators, funding, mentoring or specialised infrastructure can submit requests that IBO's team reviews to identify concrete matches within its network. IBO's impact is showcased most visibly through InnoDays, the Region's flagship innovation event. Since launching in 2022, InnoDays has grown into the island's principal platform for entrepreneurial activation. Its 2025 edition brought together over 190 exhibitors, more than 90 conference presentations, a Hackathon, RoboLab robotics workshops, VC Connect investor-matching sessions, and the Innovative Entrepreneurship Awards, with participation from 88 businesses, 5 clusters, 83 knowledge organisations and 15 institutional bodies. Beyond these, IBO runs the Ideas Incubator, the Biznovation Challenge, sector Hackathons, and Collaboration Rooms on themes such as wine, the Blue Economy and Artificial Intelligence, while participating in European programmes including PRECISEU, which contributed to Crete's recognition as a Regional Innovation Valley. Since 2022, these efforts have driven a 120% rise in startup funding, a 30% increase in registered startups, and recognition through the National Winner Award at the 2024 SME Assembly.

Directive (EU) 2025/1892 establishes the European Union’s first binding food waste targets: a 10% reduction in processing and manufacturing, and a 30% per capita reduction across retail, food services and households jointly, by 2030 against the 2021-2023 average. This presentation argues that the target is more demanding than its headline implies, and asks whether national evidence suggests it is nevertheless attainable.
Two design features raise its effective ambition. First, the measurement scope of Delegated Decision (EU) 2019/1597 includes inedible parts, which prevention reaches only indirectly. Where inedible parts constitute 27% of household food waste, as WRAP measures for the United Kingdom, a 30% reduction in the total demands 41% from the edible fraction; where they approach half, it demands over 55%. Second, aggregating three sectors of unequal weight and measurement maturity allows households, at 53% of EU food waste, to determine an outcome in which food service performance is neither visible nor attributable.
The starting position is unfavourable: Eurostat reports 58.2 Mt for 2023, 130 kg per capita and 0.7% above 2022, with the three target sectors at roughly 93 kg, which must fall to about 65 kg.
The presentation examines the strongest national trajectories. The Netherlands cut (edible) household food waste from 48.0 to 34.3 kg per capita between 2010 and 2019, approximately 29% on a scope including inedible parts, then stalled at 33.4 kg in 2022. The United Kingdom achieved, for total food waste - as in the EU definition, 22% per capita between 2007 and 2021/22, with a 6.5% increase in the latest interval. Japan reduced edible household food waste from 4.33 to 2.33 Mt between FY2000 and FY2023, a 46% reduction, yet still misses its own halving target and counts only edible parts; restated on an EU-comparable scope this equals roughly a quarter to a third, approximately the EU target, achieved over twenty-three years rather than seven.
The conclusion is double-edged. No jurisdiction has achieved what the Directive requires, at the scope it requires, over a comparable period, and reversals in two leading cases caution against extrapolation; yet the magnitude lies within the demonstrated range of national action. The presentation closes by identifying the interventions common to periods of genuine decline, and by asking what must change in policy design and scope definition for the target to move from unprecedented to attainable.

This study provides a comprehensive characterisation of food waste (FW) generation in three strategic municipal supply centres in Quito, Ecuador: La Carolina, Santa Clara, and La Magdalena. The research addresses the critical issue of products that are systematically discarded for various reasons despite retaining organoleptic properties suitable for human consumption (FAO, 2019). In the absence of data (United Nations Environment Programme, 2024) and a standardised national methodology for measuring FW due to methodological gaps in the field of food waste valuation (Chaboud et al., 2017), a direct weighing protocol was employed in combination with Mexican Standards NMX-AA-061-1985, NMX-AA-015-1985, and NMX-AA-022-1985. These methods were adapted to the retail market context, aligning with the global FLW Standard (World Resources Institute, 2016) and combining two valuation methods to provide a better estimation as a hybrid approach (Elimelech et al., 2018). Data collection was executed over seven consecutive days to capture the complete weekly commercial dynamics. The operational phase integrated stakeholder engagement with merchants and daily in-situ weighing using calibrated instruments, allowing for the calculation of FW Generation Per Capita (PPC) by stall and supply centre. Statistical analysis was conducted using Minitab® 17.1.0 (Minitab Inc., 2014), employing measures of central tendency, dispersion, and Anderson-Darling normality tests with a 95% confidence level. The results reveal a weekly generation of 593.1 kg in La Carolina, 591.1 kg in Santa Clara, and 192.1 kg in La Magdalena. The highest Per Capita Production (PPC) is recorded at La Carolina market with 4.5 kg/stall·day, followed by La Magdalena (4.3 kg/stall·day) and Santa Clara (3.7 kg/stall·day). Regarding composition, vegetables predominate in La Carolina (46%), whilst roots, tubers, and plantains prevail in Santa Clara and La Magdalena (38% and 39% respectively). The analysis evidences high data dispersion and positive asymmetry, reflecting that generation is non-homogeneous and depends on the intrinsic dynamics of each stall and market, a phenomenon also observed in international household contexts (van der Werf et al., 2018). This research constitutes the most up-to-date database for designing circular management strategies within municipal commercialisation systems in Ecuador. The findings underscore the potential of these centres to implement food redistribution nodes and coordinate with other stakeholders, such as associations or food banks, in line with regional frameworks for waste reduction. Such integration strengthens regional food security under a sustainability framework and provides critical technical evidence for formulating waste mitigation public policies in the absence of prior official data.

One third of the food produced for human consumption worldwide is discarded. According to the latest data of Eurostat (2024), Greece holds the third place amongst the European countries with the highest amount of food waste, naming 201 kg per capita for the year of 2023. The 44.3% of the food waste produced in Greece, originates from households. Thus, it is crucial to develop effective strategies to reduce consumer-level food waste. The “Food Waste Heroes” project focuses on bridging science and society for household food waste prevention through targeted awareness actions and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Its main objectives are to understand consumer attitudes, perceptions and practices related to food waste through surveys for qualitative and quantitative data collection and promote sustainable food management behaviors through knowledge dissemination activities.  To achieve these objectives, online questionnaires targeting different demographic groups have been conducted or are underway to determine the factors that influence household food waste generation, assess purchasing routines and investigate storage practices. In parallel, the project’s public awareness campaign is actively “rolling out”. A dedicated website has been launched along with animated educational videos on a Youtube channel and tailored digital content on social media platforms to make scientific knowledge highly accessible to consumers. Early analytics from these platforms suggest that illustrating the severity of food waste caused by households positively influences consumer attitudes and daily practices. Following feedback from the online consumer survey, a targeted small scale experimental investigation is underway to suggest practical guidelines for households to improve self-life of frequently wasted food. Moreover, upcoming activities, such as interactive school visits, contests, webinars and educational video games, will target younger age groups and HORECA-related sectors to foster more sustainable food-related choices in future generations. On the whole, the project highlights the role of education, communication and behavioral interventions in reducing household food waste.

Reducing household food waste is a priority in European and international climate strategies due to its contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While animal-based foods often have higher product-level global warming potentials, household-level waste composition is rarely quantified with sufficient granularity to inform targeted interventions. Within the Horizon Europe CARE project, more than 70 households across Finland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Estonia participated in a 14-day observation. Participants recorded quantities and types of edible food disposed in structured food waste diaries. Diaries were mapped to food products and specific food dishes, and GHG emissions were estimated using attributional life cycle assessment emission factors from Agribalyse database. Carbon footprints were calculated as the mass of wasted food item multiplied by the cradle-to-gate emission factor (kg CO2e kg-1) and then complemented with the cooking and storing efforts at home (if the product was cooked and stored before disposal) as well as the disposal habits per household (residual waste bin, separate waste bin for organics, home composting, etc.) and country level (waste incineration, biogas plant, composting, etc.). Results were normalized per household and per capita per day, with uncertainty addressed via sensitivity analyses to alternative emission factors and categorization assumptions. The study characterizes household food waste quantities and associated CO2e across five countries and identifies household-level carbon “hotspots.” Preliminary patterns suggest that when animal-based products are present in the waste stream, they commonly dominate carbon footprints due to higher emission factors, whereas fruits, vegetables, and bakery products often dominate by mass but contribute less to CO2e per unit. High-resolution household diaries combined with product-specific emission factors can reveal actionable hotspots for waste prevention. Results inform tailored advice for participating families and provide a scalable approach for policy and consumer interventions targeting the most carbon-intensive waste fractions. The CARE project is funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 101135141. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Hospital food waste (HFW) remains underexplored as a systemic institutional inefficiency despite increasing sustainability pressures in healthcare systems. This study combined full-system direct weighing, mixed-method triangulation and causal loop diagramming to analyse HFW generation across inpatient, staff and public food service sectors in one of the largest hospitals in Spain. Results showed that 92% of discarded food remained edible at the point of disposal, while inpatient inefficiency substantially exceeded that of non-clinical food service areas. Importantly, 36-39% of inpatient edible waste originated upstream of patient consumption, indicating that a substantial share of HFW was generated through operational surplus and production buffer dynamics rather than plate waste alone. Although digital-logistical improvements reduced several operational inefficiencies, substantial waste persisted after intervention, suggesting an efficacy ceiling for optimization strategies focused exclusively on coordination and menu flexibility. The findings conceptualize HFW as an emergent property of interacting clinical, operational and regulatory dynamics requiring systemic institutional redesign beyond downstream behavioural interventions.

Food waste (FW) has emerged as a major challenge for sustainability and the efficient use of resources requiring coordinated action across governance levels. FW impacts all stages and actors of the agri-food chain and it also links to the energy and waste management sectors, particularly through resource consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use in food production and distribution, and the potential recovery of waste within circular bioeconomy systems. Therefore, effective FW prevention and reduction policies require a multi-stakeholder approach (MAA) involving key public and private actors. Instead, existing research has paid limited attention to the role of multi-stakeholder networks in shaping FW governance, policy learning, and innovation.

This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the perspective for multi-actor platforms (MAPs) to harmonize policies to advance food waste and investigates the role of MAA within the FW environment in order to understand the barriers and the development of effective framework policy. MAA is a co-creation process to develop solutions and idea to improve the framework policy for food waste. In this study of the WASTEWISE Horizon Europe project, five MAPs were established with representatives from 6 European countries: Italy, Spain, Romania and Switzerland and one MAP for Finland and Sweden (Nordic MAP). The MAPs involve different types of stakeholders belonging to the agri-food supply chains and energy sectors such as: representative from governments and public administrations, consumers’ representatives, civil society organizations including NGOs, researchers, farmers and farmers’ representatives, food businesses and their representatives. The 5 MAPs have a total of 78 entities and 83 representatives.

To facilitate the multi-stakeholder engagement for integrating FW into climate and energy policies, a questionnaire was sent to all MAP members and national meetings with a common structure across all MAPs were organized. The questionnaire was structured into three main parts: I. respondent profile with 7 questions single or multiple answers; II. knowledge and perception on FW and its environmental impacts with 11 rating and single answer questions; III. national policies, governance and integration with energy and climate with 14 items containing rating, multiple choice and open-ended questions. During the MAP meetings, data on 12 questions regarding multi-stakeholder processes and FW–climate and energy integration were collected by online tool Mentimeter and other tools.

The results suggest that multi-stakeholder engagement may support the development of more integrated approaches to FW prevention and reduction and facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange across sectors.

The role of companion animal feeding in household food waste management is rarely examined from a waste hierarchy perspective. In Hungary, 18.45 % of total household food waste was channelled to animal feeding, with avoidable waste more likely to be valorised this way than unavoidable waste (Szabó-Bódi et al., 2018). A definitional boundary complicates this picture: under food law, any food intended for human consumption not ultimately consumed by a human constitutes food waste (Regulation (EC) No 178/2002), including food deliberately purchased for pets, meaning part of what appears as prevention may more accurately be redistribution (Papargyropoulou et al., 2014). An online questionnaire administered between November 2024 and March 2025 yielded data on 540 dogs from 409 Hungarian households. Three categories of human food in the canine diet were assessed: portions shared from the owner's plate were most prevalent, featuring in 72.59 % of diets, followed by household leftovers (68.52 %) and food purchased specifically for the dog (63.52 %); however, across all three categories, feeding was typically infrequent and in small amounts. Primary motivations were treat-giving (44.50 %), perceived health benefits (39.1 %), and treating the dog as a family member (25.30 %); avoiding food waste was cited by only 11.90 %. When asked what would have happened to the food otherwise, 58.30 % said it would have been discarded and 46.30 % would have eaten it themselves, a distinction rarely captured in food waste surveys. Leftover feeding was significantly more common amongst older owners (p=0.007), rural residents (p<0.001), and owners of outdoor or mixed-housed dogs (p<0.001), with larger dogs receiving leftovers more frequently (p=0.04). No significant association was found between leftover feeding and self-reported body condition score, though a tendency for overweight dogs to receive more leftovers warrants investigation with objective measurements. Current guidelines recommend non-complete foods not exceed 10 % of daily energy intake (Cline et al., 2021); assessed per category, most dogs remained below this threshold individually, though cumulative effects could not be determined. Sharing food with pets is a recognised risk factor for nutritional imbalances and excess energy intake (Laflamme, 2012; Nielson et al., 2023), and raw meat feeding carries microbiological hazards, with dogs able to shed zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria posing risk to YOPI (young, elderly, pregnant, and immunocompromised individuals) groups (Nüesch-Inderbinen et al., 2019). Any policy promoting food surplus as companion animal feed must address animal health, welfare, and zoonotic risk alongside environmental benefits (Kasza et al., 2019), with veterinary guidance and targeted education essential for a truly sustainable approach.

Municipal solid waste management represents a growing challenge across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Current estimates indicate that approximately 155 million tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated annually, with quantities expected to almost double by 2050. Organic waste constitutes the largest fraction of municipal solid waste in most MENA countries, yet a significant share is still disposed of in dumpsites or landfills. The mismanagement of organic waste contributes to methane emissions, groundwater contamination, air pollution from open burning, and the loss of valuable nutrients and organic matter that could be returned to the soil. These challenges are particularly relevant in arid and semi-arid regions where soil degradation, declining soil fertility, and water scarcity threaten agricultural productivity. To address these challenges, the project Focus and Discourse on Organic Waste: Jordan and Egypt (Biowaste EgJo) developed the Guidelines for Organic Waste Management in the MENA Region. The project is implemented by the University of Rostock (Germany), the Egypt Solid Waste Management Center of Excellence at Ain Shams University, and Jordan University of Science and Technology. The guideline aims to support municipalities, decision-makers, project developers, practitioners, and academic institutions in planning and implementing sustainable organic waste management systems, with a particular focus on decentralized composting solutions. The guideline provides a step-by-step roadmap covering policy, technical, operational, and financial aspects of organic waste management. It begins with an overview of the importance of organic waste diversion and introduces the main sources and characteristics of organic waste. Relevant European policy and regulatory frameworks are presented as reference examples, including restrictions on biodegradable waste landfilling, requirements for separate collection, and quality standards for compost products. The technical sections describe composting processes, key operational parameters, and different composting systems suitable for varying local conditions. A major focus of the guideline is the practical implementation of decentralized composting projects. It provides guidance on estimating feedstock quantities, determining land requirements, site selection, permitting procedures, ownership and partnership models, business planning, and financial sustainability. In addition, the guideline presents design considerations for composting facilities, operational procedures, process monitoring, quality control measures, and strategies for compost utilization and marketing. The guideline is intended as a practical decision-support tool that translates international experience and technical knowledge into an accessible framework adapted to the environmental, economic, and institutional conditions of MENA countries. By promoting source-separated collection and decentralized composting of organic waste, the guideline contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil health, conserving water resources, and advancing circular economy objectives throughout the region.

Households play a central role in reducing the environmental impacts associated with food waste and clothing consumption. The Horizon Europe-funded CARE project addresses these challenges by developing, testing and evaluating circular consumption practices at the household level. Its aim is to measurably reduce the environmental footprint of households while simultaneously ensuring sustainable well-being. A first step toward achieving these objectives involves conducting household surveys and related environmental assessments. These make it possible to identify improvement potentials, present them in an understandable way, derive suitable measures and continuously monitor progress. The data basis includes detailed questionnaires and diary records on food waste, clothing purchases, clothing use and garment care. In addition, aspects of the sustainable well-being of household members are collected. To assess environmental impacts, a life cycle-based assessment model is applied. Another key element of the project is the CARE CO₂ Tool, a digital instrument designed to support climate-friendly everyday decision-making. The tool makes CO₂ emissions from household-related consumption and usage practices in the areas of food, clothing and laundry transparent and highlights concrete reduction potentials. Through easy-to-understand visualizations and the temporal tracking of changes, it also serves as an awareness-raising and motivational tool for sustainable behavioral change. Initial analyses of the baseline assessments reveal considerable differences between households in terms of emission levels and behavioral patterns. Food waste as well as washing and usage practices in the clothing sector emerge as particularly important short-term levers for CO₂ reductions. The CARE CO₂ Tool helps households recognize these relationships and directly understand the impact of even small behavioral adjustments. Overall, the combination of a digital feedback instrument, detailed household surveys and life cycle-based assessment methods highlights the potential of integrated approaches to promote and evidence-based evaluate climate-friendly consumption decisions at the household level.

Reducing food loss is a critical imperative for global food security and sustainable resource management. Modern food systems are increasingly globalized, leading to a geographical decoupling of production and consumption. This spatial disconnection often leads to the externalization of environmental impacts, in which the burdens of food loss, primarily during the production and supply stages, remain hidden from final consumers and unaccounted for in local sustainability assessments. This study addresses this gap by examining the environmental implications of food loss embedded in international agricultural trade, focusing on the inter-regional linkages that define telecoupled food systems. Using a multi-year global dataset of trade flows at the product level, we quantify the scale of trade-related food loss and its associated environmental footprint, encompassing land and water use and GHG emissions. To operationalize these findings, the study introduces an analytical framework: the 'Telecoupled Environmental Performance Index' (TEPI). This index integrates the environmental performance ratings of production and consumption regions, reflecting the inter-regional responsibility derived from consumption-weighted sourcing portfolios. Our results reveal that demand from importing regions drives significant environmental burdens in agricultural production zones through trade-related food loss. These findings demonstrate that consumption patterns in one region directly shape the distribution of environmental pressures across the global food system, uncovering burdens that escape existing national sustainability metrics. The study highlights that food loss in international trade is not merely a local production inefficiency but a systemic phenomenon with global environmental consequences. By merging food loss analysis with the telecoupling approach, this research provides a methodological foundation for developing more equitable trade, consumption, and climate policies. The insights generated offer policymakers a practical tool for evaluating alternative trade pathways and integrating environmental accounting into food system governance, ultimately supporting the design of more resilient and sustainable global food systems.

Apple pomace is an important byproduct produced during the industrial production of apple juice and cider. It represents up to 25% of the original apple pulp and contains 2-4% of seeds. Seeds represent a significant source of phytochemicals and a high-value oil. Conversely, the implementation of non-thermal emerging technologies as preliminary treatments of raw materials has been demonstrated to enhance process efficiency by reducing extraction times. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of pulsed electric field (PEF) pretreatment of apple seeds on the subsequent oil extraction process. The primary variables of interest included the oil extraction yield, the colour of the extracted oil, the recovery of polyphenols (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC), the antioxidant capacity (DPPH• and ABTS•+), and the recovery of significant liposoluble compounds. Additionally, the PEF impact was assessed in the deffated seeds by evaluating TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity. Apple seeds were extracted from the apple pomace that was obtained subsequent to the cider production process in the Food Pavilion at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. These specimens were meticulously washed to ensure the complete elimination of any residual pulp matter. Prior to the implementation of PEF treatment, the seeds were subjected to a soaking process in tap water at a 1:1 ratio for a duration of four hours. This procedure was undertaken with the objective of adjusting the moisture content of the seeds and thereby facilitating the initiation of seed coat opening. For PEF treatment, three energy levels were applied (4.5, 11.25, and 15 kV/cm) while frequency (150 Hz), number of pulses (120), and pulse width (30 µs) were constant. Untreated seeds were used as a control. Following the PEF treatment, the seeds were subjected to a drying and grinding process. The extraction of oil was carried out by Soxhlet using hexane as the extraction agent. ANOVA showed no significant differences (p>0.05) for any of the evaluated parameters in the oil or the deffated seeds, except for oil ABTS•+ antioxidant capacity (1.59 ±0.88 TE μM/mL) and oil Vitamin A content (0.010±0.001µg/g Oil). Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 76.69% of the variance with the first three principal components. PC1A separated oils into two groups, one corresponding to the control and the lower PEF treatments (4.5 and 11.25 kV/cm), and the second group corresponding to the higher intensity treatment (15 kV/cm). The other PC (2 and 3) did not separate the oil samples. Eigenvector 1 showed that oils with the stronger treatment presented higher values of DPPH•, TPC, ABTS•+, Lignans, and Orizanol. Results show that lower intensities are not enough to modify the properties of the extracted oil, but that high intensities also did not modify the defatted seeds' properties.

The olive oil sector is a fundamental pillar of Mediterranean agriculture producing substantial volumes of by-products that remain largely underexploited. To address this challenge, the EU-PRIMA-funded project OLIWA is developing innovative approaches for transforming olive by- products (OPs) into valuable and sustainable resources. OLIWA brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of academic and industrial partners from across the Mediterranean region with the shared goal of demonstrating effective and sustainable valorization pathways for olive waste. Guided by circular economy principles, the project seeks to convert OPs into animal feed ingredients, functional additives, bio-based packaging materials, and renewable energy sources, thereby reducing waste generation and improving resource efficiency throughout agro-food value chains. One of the project&#39;s central activities focuses on the bioconversion of OPs through insect farming, particularly using black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens). Olive residues are being evaluated as alternative rearing substrates to support insect production and generate high-quality insect meals suitable for animal nutrition. In addition, OLIWA investigates the recovery of bioactive compounds from OPs rich in polyphenols and triterpenes with potential antioxidant, anti- inflammatory and antimicrobial activities (NE), for their potential application as functional feed additives. NE, insect meals and their association will be tested in vitro to assess their effects on the intestinal barrier, on animal models (mice and guinea pigs) and through in vivo trials in poultry and fish, trying to enhance the animal gut health and final product quality. The project also develops innovative biodegradable packaging solutions based on olive and insect-derived resources. Olive by-products generated after oil extraction and black soldier fly (BSF) by-products will be valorized to produce flexible films and rigid packaging materials, alone or in combination with biodegradable polymers, for food packaging applications aimed at improving food preservation and quality. Furthermore, the potential for biogas generation from olive by-products and other organic residues is being assessed to maximize energy recovery and further close resource loops within the system. Through these integrated activities, OLIWA aims to demonstrate how olive by- products can be transformed from waste streams into strategic resources. By linking feed, material, and energy applications within a circular framework, the project contributes to the development of more sustainable, resilient, and resource-efficient agro-food systems while providing scalable models for the advancement of the Mediterranean bioeconomy.

The increasing need for sustainable food systems has led to the exploration of alternative strategies to valorise agro-food by-products and underutilized plant materials. Pumpkin pulp is one of the agro-food by-products resulting from the processing of oil pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca) seeds. The pulp is rich in nutrients but is commonly discarded. Fermentation is an ancient process that has recently been considered as an effective tool for improving technological properties of plant-based ingredients.  Accordingly, the present study aims to investigate the potential of fermented pumpkin puree as a valuable ingredient for fruit-vegetable beverages and to explore the sensory properties of the resulting products. Fermentation was performed on pumpkin purees obtained from oil pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca) and Muscat pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata). The fermented pumpkin puree was used to produce fruit-vegetable beverages by mixing it with apple juice at different concentrations (10%, 20%, and 30%). A control sample was prepared by mixing apple juice with non-fermented pumpkin puree. The physicochemical properties, mineral composition, and colour of the fermented pumpkin purees and fruit-vegetable beverages were measured. The sensorial assessment of the fruit-vegetable beverages was also examined by using the RATA test. The RATA test is a sensory analysis approach that enables the evaluation of the presence of multiple sensory attributes. The sensory panel was asked to rate the intensity of the following attributes: colour intensity, apple aroma, pumpkin aroma, sweet taste, acidic taste, texture, and global liking. The results were analysed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The multivariate relationship between the samples was also examined by using Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA). The results showed that the concentration of fermented pumpkin puree had a significant effect on the sensory properties of the fruit-vegetable beverages. The fruit-vegetable beverages with lower concentrations of pumpkin puree had a higher intensity of apple aroma. Among the evaluated formulations, the beverage containing 20% fermented Cucurbita moschata puree achieved the highest overall acceptability (mean score 3.56), whereas the control sample containing non-fermented pumpkin puree showed moderate acceptability (mean score 3.31). Beverages formulated with fermented oil pumpkin puree showed slightly lower sensory scores but remained within acceptable sensory ranges. This study finding demonstrates that fermentation represents a promising strategy for the circular valorisation of pumpkin processing residues and their incorporation into innovative plant-based beverages. The obtained results highlight the potential of fermented pumpkin puree as a functional ingredient capable of improving sensory complexity while contributing to the sustainable utilisation of agro-food by-products.

The increase in habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) production in Yucatán, Mexico generates large volumes of agro-industrial by-products, particularly leaves, which represent an underutilized food resource. This study focuses on the valorization of habanero pepper leaves (HPL) for the design of a novel functional food ingredient, aligned with circular economy and sustainable material development principles, transforming plant residues into value-added materials for food applications. A polyphenol-rich extract was obtained using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction. Extraction process was optimized considering molar ratio and water content as critical variables to maximize recovery efficiency of phenolic compounds. The optimized NADES (glucose:choline chloride, 0.8:1 mol/mol, 68% added water) yielded a total polyphenol content of 271.46 mg GAE/100 g dry weight (DW), with a maximum antioxidant inhibition of 89.79% (DPPH assay). Key individual polyphenols were identified, including diosmin + hesperidin (148.9 mg/100 g DW), quercetin + luteolin (49.38 mg/100 g DW), and vanillin (19.15 mg/100 g DW), confirming the high functional potential of the extract and its suitability as a source of bioactive compounds. Extracts showed no cytotoxic effects (L-929 fibroblasts) and no acute oral toxicity in vivo, supporting its safety and applicability as a functional food material. To enhance stability, handling, and applicability in food systems, the optimized extract was microencapsulated by spray drying using a polysaccharide-based carrier system. Microencapsulation conditions were optimized to balance polyphenol retention and antioxidant activity. Optimal drying conditions (inlet temperature 89.4 °C, 7.8% guar gum) produced microencapsulates with 8.55 mg GAE/100 g powder, while conditions maximizing antioxidant capacity (104.1 °C, 8.06% guar gum) achieved 19.19% DPPH inhibition. Before incorporating the microcapsules into a food matrix, bioaccessibility was validated using a standardized in vitro digestion model, which revealed a substantial increase in polyphenol bioaccessibility during the intestinal phase, reaching up to 283.28%, thereby demonstrating the protective role of encapsulation against gastrointestinal degradation. The microcapsules were then successfully incorporated into two different food matrices, an isotonic beverage and a cookie, highlighting the microcapsules versatility. In the enriched isotonic beverage, total polyphenol content reached 6.98 ± 0.03 mg GAE/100 ml under fasting conditions, representing a 39% increase compared to the control beverage, while individual polyphenols such as rutin (1.24 ± 0.05 mg/100 ml) and quercetin + luteolin (1.10 ± 0.10 mg/100 ml) remained stable or increased throughout gastrointestinal digestion. In the enriched cookie, total polyphenol content reached 273.64 ± 12.21 mg GAE/100 g after intestinal digestion, with bioaccessibility values exceeding 1600% for quercetin + luteolin and 860% for catechin. Overall, this work demonstrates that habanero pepper leaves can be transformed into a high-value functional food material through NADES-based green extraction and microencapsulation strategies, contributing to the development of innovative materials from food resources and sustainable food systems.

Livestock can convert unavoidable food waste into valuable animal protein (Torok et al., 2022). However, restrictions apply to what is legally allowable to mitigate the risk of emergency animal disease incursions. In Australia, mixed human food waste containing meat, or which has come into contact with meat, is defined as prohibited pig feed. This is not permitted to be fed to pigs unless rendered, or under jurisdictional permit has undergone cooking processes (ensuring a core temperature ≥100°C for a minimum of 30 min, or equivalent is reached) and subject to compliance verification (AHA, 2023). However, Japan has developed a successful mixed human food waste (containing animal product) to livestock feed industry, which is regulated and encouraged by national policy (zu Ermgassen et al., 2016). This study aimed to determine the techno-economic feasibility of utilising treated mixed human food waste into a pig feed ingredient in five key Australian pork production regions, and to determine the impact of feeding treated mixed food waste on pig performance. The techno-economic analysis considered both wet and dry feeding systems in the production of a feed ingredient as compared with a standard wheat-based diet. Approximately, 373,000 tonne/pa of untapped mixed food waste were identified from commercial and industrial sources which could support up to six food waste to feed manufacturing facilities of varying scales. Wet feed production was found to be technically and economically feasible in all regions investigated, with dry feed ingredient production being feasible in three of the regions investigated. Thirty-two male weaner pigs (age 21.5±0.3 days) were randomly assigned to either an ‘Experimental’ or ‘Control’ meal diet (n=4 pig/pen; n=4 pens/diet) and fed on an ad libitum basis for 32 days. The Experimental diet contained 20% mixed human food waste (fruit and vegetables, juice bar pressings, bakery products, meat trimmings and seafood by products sourced from a supermarket and processed, heat treated and dried into a feed ingredient). The Control diet contained no food waste and was wheat-based. Data on performance, faecal amino acid digestibility and ileal contents were collected for comparison between diets. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) between start and end liveweights, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, faecal amino acid digestibility and ileal microbiota between diets. This study demonstrated no detrimental impacts of feeding treated mixed food waste at 20% inclusion on weaner performance, faecal amino acid digestibility and ileal gut health. Utilising the identified volumes of mixed food waste for pig feed could lower the demand for conventional grain-based feed ingredients by 6%, and reduce food waste going to landfill by 5%. Further research is required to explore long-term effects of feeding treated mixed food waste on pig production at a commercial scale.

Microalgae are a promising source of nutrients, offering significantly higher production yields compared with crops such as maize or rapeseed. In addition, their cultivation does not require arable land or freshwater. Within the European Union, several microalgal strains have already been included in the list of approved food sources. At present, however, the recovery of valuable biomolecules such as proteins from microalgae remains limited by several factors. To fully exploit the potential of microalgae, cell disruption followed by efficient separation of their cellular components is required. Most biomolecules present in green microalgae or in disrupted cells are assembled into complex structures or aggregates, making an additional disassembly step necessary to enable the recovery of selected biomolecules by membrane filtration. Initial studies have shown that the application of different enzymes to corresponding algal extracts can significantly improve the extraction of proteins from such aggregates.(Schmidt et al., 2022) In the work presented here, the use of suitable enzymes immobilized on microfiltration membranes was investigated with the aim of enhancing protein recovery. For this purpose, digestive enzymes were immobilized on polymer membranes by electron-beam grafting.(Schreiber et al., 2025) The resulting enzymatic membranes were subsequently applied in the sequential filtration of Tetraselmis chui extracts.(Poidevin et al., 2025) Within the scope of this study, different enzymes were immobilized on microfiltration membranes both individually and in combination. In addition, various filtration conditions for the algal extracts were analyzed and optimized using statistical experimental design. A highly efficient enzymatic membrane was identified, and further investigations were carried out to better understand its beneficial effect in terms of reduced membrane fouling and/or the degradation of biomolecular aggregates. The results of this work demonstrate that enzymatic lysis in combination wagnes.schulze@iom-leipzig.deith membrane filtration can be successfully applied to recover valuable biomolecules such as proteins from a complex mixture of algal extracts in a simple filtration process. The application of AI-based methods enabled the development of highly efficient biocatalytically active membranes and the optimization of algal extract filtration conditions with significantly reduced experimental effort.

Presentation of the initial laboratory results on the analysis of Solar-Dried Agro-Industrial By-Products and the corresponding evaluation for their use as Alternative Animal Feed Ingredients.

Extraction of bioactive compounds from locally available raw materials has become a key strategy for developing functional ingredients with added value and a sustainable focus. In this context, Coccoloba uvifera (sea grape), a member of the Polygonaceae family and widely distributed across the insular Caribbean, southern Gulf of Mexico coastline, Caribbean shores of Central America, and the northern region of South America, stands out as a coastal resource with high potential for the recovery of bioactive compounds. As a perennial evergreen shrub or small tree native to tropical and subtropical shorelines, its physiology, adapted to extreme conditions of salinity, intense solar radiation, strong winds, and nutrient-poor sandy soils, favours the synthesis of metabolites associated with photoprotection, osmotic regulation, and environmental tolerance. These adaptive traits, characteristic of dune and littoral vegetation, contribute to its ecological resilience and reinforce its relevance as a promising source of bioactive compounds. These secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids and phenolic acids, are associated with antioxidant activities and potential beneficial effects on cellular processes related to oxidative stress and human health, which strengthens the interest in recovering them through sustainable extraction strategies. This combination of ecological resilience, regional availability, and phytochemical richness positions the fruit as an attractive matrix for producing phenolic-rich extracts using green extraction technologies. The aim of this study was to investigate the recovery of bioactive compounds using three extraction systems: 80% methanol (Met80%) and two natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES): citric acid:water (1:1; 60% w/w) (AC) and fructose:water (1:1; 60% w/w) (FRUC), while also examining the effects of fruit maturity (ripe and unripe) and anatomical fraction (seed, pulp, and whole fruit). NADES-AC extracts yielded the highest levels of total flavonoids, reaching 53.65 ± 0.44 mg QE/g DW in ripe seeds, markedly outperforming both Met80% and NADES-FRUC and highlighting the strong affinity of NADES systems for flavonoid-rich matrices. In contrast, total polyphenols reached their peak concentration with Met80%, particularly in unripe seeds (196.50 ± 1.25 mg GAE/g DW). Vitamin C content also attained its maximum under Met80% extraction in unripe seeds (227.35 ± 41.28 mg AA/100 g DW), indicating pronounced solvent-dependent differences across maturity stages and fruit fractions. Antioxidant capacity assessed through the DPPH assay exhibited substantial variation among treatments, with the highest inhibition value recorded at 94.49 ± 0.72%, corresponding to the NADES-AC extract obtained from unripe pulp. Although Met80% produced the highest concentrations of total polyphenols and vitamin C, the NADES systems exhibited a distinct advantage in the selective recovery of phenolic acids and flavonoids, a trend further supported by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Collectively, these results underscore the value of Coccoloba uvifera as a high-potential coastal resource and open pathways for sustainable valorisation through green extraction technologies aimed at generating functional ingredients.

Our food system is dysfunctional: While 10% of human population is undernourished, we feed food-grade materials to livestock and waste 1 billion tons of food every year. Insects can help us break this resource-intensive pattern: Larvae of black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens can be mass-reared on food waste and agrifood byproducts to be processed into nutritious, safe animal feed ingredients, while leftover frass is an efficient organic fertilizer with plant-beneficial effects. Indeed, “BSF farming” can significantly contribute to the sustainability and resiliency of the global food system, if it is taken up at a wide scale. In this sense, small/ medium rural applications are at least as important as industrial ones. In Europe, the mild climate and unvalorized agrifood residues of the Mediterranean region can allow BSF-farming with minimal active climate control and feedstock-costs. To demonstrate this potential, we took rural Greece as a case. We conducted BSF larval growth experiments from July 2024 to December 2025 in an experimental greenhouse in southern Greece, with minimal climatization, mimicking commercial horticulture greenhouses of the region. Larval growth and bioconversion performance as well as the effects of rearing parameters on these were in line with findings under more tightly controlled conditions. The unstable ambient temperature enabled us to pinpoint the boundary conditions for bioconversion under variable temperature regimes, which, to our knowledge has not been previously studied. Based on this, we estimated the energy demand for maintaining permissive variable temperature regimes for year-round BSF farming in a Mediterranean greenhouse, in comparison to the respective energy demands in other settings with constant temperatures. In the same greenhouse setting, we incorporated local agrifood residues as feedstock, focusing on un-/ under-valorized materials. Particular combinations of olive mill residue, cheese whey, raw dough, bakery rejects, greenhouse crop residues and brewer’s spent grain were efficiently bioconverted. We present an outlook on how these partially seasonal materials can be stored and pre-processed with minimal energy use to be integrated into year-round operation at a meaningful scale. Overall, these results concerning climatization and feedstock highlight rural Greece in particular, and the Mediterranean region in general as a promising context for cost-effective, sustainable BSF farming.

The escalating environmental footprint of conventional livestock feed—primarily driven by soybean and fishmeal—necessitates a transition toward more sustainable protein sources. This study evaluates the environmental performance of insect meal (Tenebrio molitor) as a substitute for traditional protein sources in pig feed formulations. Central to this research is a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted in adherence to ISO 14040/44 standards. Four distinct compound feed blends were analysed to assess their environmental profiles across various impact categories. To ensure a robust analysis, a dual-modelling approach was used, using both a mass-based and a protein-based Functional Unit (FU). The results indicate that conventional crop-based ingredients, specifically soybean meal, are the primary drivers of environmental burdens, largely due to intensive fertilizer application and land-use change effects. The integration of insect meal successfully mitigated these impacts, demonstrating superior land-use efficiency and the capacity for waste valorization. Furthermore, while the LCA quantified standard metrics, the study also addressed qualitative sustainability crises inherent to fishmeal production, such as overfishing and marine ecosystem destabilization, which often escape traditional LCA modelling. Overall, the substitution of soy with Tenebrio Molitor meal emerged as the most effective strategy for reducing the environmental load of porcine feed formulation. Given the nutritional focus of the study, the protein-based FU proved to be the more relevant metric for determining sustainability. These results underscore the potential of insect-based proteins as a scalable solution, positioning them as a fundamental component in the development of sustainable, resilient livestock production systems.

The agro-industrial processing of citrus fruits generates large volumes of byproducts that remain underutilized despite their high content of bioactive compounds. Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) byproducts, particularly peels, are recognized as rich sources of flavonoids with antioxidant and functional properties, making them suitable candidates for valorisation within circular economy frameworks (Maqbool et al., 2023, Ren et al., 2024). The aim of this study is to maximise the extraction of flavonoids from C. aurantium by-products through the application of green and innovative extraction strategies based on natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Several NADES systems formulated with different hydrogen bond donors were evaluated as alternatives to conventional organic solvents, with the objective of improving extraction efficiency and selectivity while reducing environmental impact, as previously reported for citrus-derived polyphenols (Fernández-Cabal et al., 2025). UAE was employed to enhance mass transfer, shorten extraction times and increase the recovery of bioactive compounds. While the primary focus remained on the quantification of flavonoid content, a phytochemical characterisation was performed to evaluate the extracts functional potential (Pires et al., 2025). This included the assessment of the polyphenolic profile and antioxidant properties, alongside the determination of key micronutrients such as ascorbic acid. Furthermore, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPCL) was utilised to obtain a detailed profiling of individual flavonoids, providing deeper insights into solvent selectivity and the specific chemical composition of the extracts. Total flavonoid content, showed marked variability among treatments, ranging from 338 ± 4.92 to 1,684 ± 3.19 mg EQ/ 100 g dry matter. The nature of the hydrogen bond donor was the main factor influencing flavonoid recovery, followed by its interaction with water content, while water proportion alone had a minor effect, as supported by statistical evidence. Fructose-based systems with higher hydration achieved the highest yields, highlighting the combined role of donor type and water content in enhancing mass transfer and flavonoid solubilisation. UPLC profiling revealed a characteristic fingerprint of flavanones and flavonols, with naringenin identified as the predominant compound, exceeding 900 mg/ 100 g dry matter in fructose-based formulations, followed by hesperidin (304.26 ± 7.68 mg EQ/ 100 g) and neo-hesperidin (203.77 ± 4.28 mg EQ/ 100 g). Additional flavonoids, including catechin, rutin, quercetin/luteolin and kaempferol were detected at lower concentrations and exhibited pronounced hydrogen bond donor dependent variability, highlighting the capacity of tailored NADES systems to modulate extraction selectivity and target specific flavonoid profiles. Overall, this study demonstrates that coupling NADES and UAE is an effective and sustainable strategy for the valorisation of bitter orange by-products, enabling the development of novel bioactive materials from food resources with potential food and pharmaceutical applications.

Global population growth and increasing health awareness are sharply intensifying the demand for sustainable protein sources¹. Yet, current dependence on animal-based proteins is increasingly untenable: conventional livestock systems exert heavy pressure on land, water, and ecosystems, while contributing substantially to greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the transition toward alternative proteins has become an urgent scientific and societal priority². Emerging protein sources, including those derived from plants, insects, algae, bacteria and fungi offer promising nutritional profiles and markedly lower environmental footprints³. These protein sources vary widely in composition, functional properties, and scalability, and their successful integration into the food system depends on optimized extraction technologies and processing⁴. In Portugal, the presence of native plants and vegetables (e.g. Lathyrus sativus and Salicornia europaea), forage grasses (e.g. Dactylis glomerata and Festuca pratensis), fungi (e.g. Lactarius deliciosus and Tricholoma equestre), and a vast selection of edible algae from an extensive coastline, shows strong potential for high-value, sustainable protein production. Leveraging and valorising these endogenous materials and byproducts can accelerate the diversification of protein supply chains and support the development of resilient, nutritious, and climate-responsible food systems. This review aims to critically assess the potential of these alternative protein sources, with particular emphasis on extraction strategies, functional properties, and opportunities for local resource valorisation.

Within the Horizon Europe project NUTRIFEEDS (GA No. 101179992), which develops regenerative livestock feed solutions from underutilised local plant resources and agri-food by-products, the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU) is investigating solar-assisted drying and fermentation as complementary, low-energy processing pathways for alternative feed production. This work presents experimental trials conducted at HMU using rye as a model feedstock. Rye was first processed in a pilot-scale solar drying unit to evaluate the efficiency of solar-driven moisture reduction, monitoring drying rate, final moisture content and energy input relative to substrate mass, in line with the project's objective of reducing the energy footprint of feed preservation. In parallel, an ensiling trial of rye was prepared to assess fermentation-based preservation as an alternative or complementary pathway to feed production, targeting adequate pH reduction and fermentation quality for stable storage. Both processing routes were implemented to meet NUTRIFEEDS' technical requirements for the characterisation of resulting feed products, with quality parameters (moisture content, fermentation profile, physical and nutritional characteristics) assessed to determine their suitability for downstream use. The resulting solar-dried and ensiled rye products are intended for further evaluation in livestock feeding applications within the project. These field-to-feed trials demonstrate the practical feasibility of combining solar drying and ensiling as sustainable, low-input processing pathways for alternative feed ingredients, supporting NUTRIFEEDS' broader goal of valorising local agricultural resources for regenerative animal nutrition.

The demand for alternative protein sources is increasing due to climate change, depletion of natural resources, population growth, and the environmental impacts of intensive agriculture. Animal based protein production requires extensive land and water resources and contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Although plant based proteins offer environmental advantages, they typically rely on a limited number of resource intensive field crops. These challenges have intensified interest in fungal mycelium, the vegetative tissue of filamentous fungi, as a sustainable protein source. Liquid fermentation of fungal mycelium enables rapid biomass production, high protein content, efficient resource use, and independence from arable land. While industrial scale mycelium based protein production is advancing, most existing initiatives focus on a small number of species, while thousands of edible fungal species remain underexplored and may offer improved nutritional or process related traits. This study investigates edible fungal species native to the northern region of Israel as potential protein sources. This region is characterized by high climatic variability and rich biodiversity, providing a unique basis for identifying promising local strains. Twenty edible mushroom species were collected, isolated, and cultivated in liquid culture. The strains were evaluated based on biomass accumulation and protein content. Nearly half of the tested species exhibited protein concentrations exceeding 25% of dry weight, with one species reaching above 30%. After one week of incubation, substantial variation in biomass density was observed, ranging from 4 to 10 grams of dry biomass per liter. Integrating biomass yield with protein concentration enabled the identification of promising candidates producing more than 2 grams of protein per liter. Ongoing optimization experiments focus on carbon to nitrogen ratios, pH, and temperature. Increasing glucose concentration to 60 grams per liter combined with temperature optimization resulted in biomass densities of up to 12 grams per liter. In parallel, the study examines the use of by products from local food processing industries as nutrient sources for mycelium cultivation. This approach aims to promote resource recovery, strengthen regional industrial collaboration, and support circular economy principles. The findings are expected to facilitate the development of a novel, sustainable raw material, reducing reliance on conventional protein sources. The use of local fungal biodiversity and food industry by products contributes to reduced waste, improved resource efficiency, and enhanced food security. This low water and land demanding technology is particularly relevant for arid and semi-arid regions and can support environmental policy goals related to greenhouse gas emission reduction, natural resource conservation, and the development of innovative and sustainable food systems.

Pomegranate microbiota is primarily composed of yeasts, typically colonizing the fruit's surface. This study identified four distinct strains of Hanseniaspora valbyensis from both pomegranate juice (PJ) and seeds (PS), suggesting a targeted migration and adaptation from the fruit's outer layer. Among non-conventional yeasts, H. valbyensis is particularly notable for its significant production of aroma compounds during fermentation. Despite the known sensitivity of this genus to ethanol or antimicrobials, these specific strains demonstrated the ability to produce ethanol levels comparable to the control, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, under specific conditions. Upon sugar depletion, H. valbyensis secreted acetate, which remained unmetabolized in the absence of oxygen. Although glucose and fructose seemed to be simultaneously consumed, no specific fructose transporter was identified through genomic screening. To address this, phylogenetic reconstruction was performed, highlighting the evolutionary complexity of Ffz-like genes. This analysis suggested that multiple uncharacterized fructose transporter lineages may have emerged from the DHA1 family, providing new insights into the evolutionary adaptation of this yeast's sugar metabolism. Besides that, H. valbyensis thrived in challenging matrices characterized by low pH and presence of antimicrobials. Leveraging these unique metabolic traits, this study explores the biotechnological potential of this species to valorize pomegranate seeds, a nutrient-dense byproduct of the juice industry rich in proteins, fiber, and ellagitannins. Historically discarded as waste, these seeds are here treated as a high-value co-product for fermentation. Preliminary fermentation tests showed that all H. valbyensis strains could alter the seeds' chemical composition, specifically regarding mineral and organic acid profiles. The most promising results were observed using strains S-L1 and J-L6. To validate the application, a functional granola snack was developed by incorporating pomegranate seed flour (PSF) fermented with strain S-L1. Three formulations were evaluated: granola with fermented PSF (G-FS), with unprocessed PSF (G-US), and conventional granola (G-C). Results revealed that PSF inclusion significantly improved antioxidant capacity, with G-FS reaching 60% DPPH• scavenging activity. Furthermore, the fortified snacks exhibited higher mineral content and lower energy values than the control. Sensory evaluation confirmed that fermentation improved palatability, with G-FS scoring 6.3 (1–9 scale) compared to 4.9 for G-US, demonstrating the potential of H. valbyensis for upcycling industrial byproducts into nutritious, consumer-accepted food ingredients.

Freshwater fish processing generates substantial by-products, such as frames after filleting, belly portions, and other underutilised fractions, which are often directed to low-value pathways, such as rendering or biogas production, despite their high nutritional potential. In land-locked Central European countries, fish consumption remains critically low, and blood levels of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are among the lowest in Europe (Jia et al., 2025). This study presents a circular, practice-oriented model that upgrades freshwater fish processing by-products into safe, nutritionally valuable, and economically viable food products for both preschool children and adult consumers. Side-stream-derived raw materials, including mechanically separated fish meat (“baader”) recovered from frames and low-market-value belly portions of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), were incorporated in varying proportions into newly developed formulations. Products were designed to ensure boneless structure, technological stability, and suitability for institutional catering and retail distribution. Comprehensive evaluation included sensory testing (including preschool panels), chemical composition analysis, microbiological assessment, and economic evaluation. Sensory trials demonstrated high acceptance among preschool children when products were presented in familiar formats (e.g., sausages, kebab-like shapes, balls) with moderate salinity (approximately 1.4–1.6 %) and mild seasoning; positive contextual factors, particularly teacher encouragement, significantly increased tasting rates and overall acceptance. Nutritional analyses confirmed balanced protein levels (approximately 14–17 g 100 g⁻¹), moderate fat content depending on formulation, and reduced salt levels (approximately 1.5–1.7 g 100 g⁻¹). EPA + DHA concentrations ranged from approximately 265 to 1067 mg 100 g⁻¹, contributing substantially to recommended intake levels. Microbiological testing confirmed compliance with safety criteria throughout chilled storage, including the absence of Listeria monocytogenes prior to product release and levels below regulatory limits throughout shelf life. Economic analysis showed that increasing the inclusion of mechanically separated fish meat significantly reduced production costs while maintaining quality and safety standards, supporting affordability in school catering systems operating under strict budget constraints. Beyond preschool catering, the same circular formulations were successfully transferred to the adult retail segment, demonstrating scalability and improving overall raw material valorisation efficiency; products are currently supplied to approximately 200 schools and kindergartens, while adult-oriented products are commercially available in retail markets. This case study demonstrates that circular upcycling of freshwater fish side-streams into human food can simultaneously reduce post-harvest losses, increase resource efficiency, improve population nutrition, and create economically sustainable market opportunities across institutional and retail sectors.

Following a pilot study in laying hens, a series of experiments was designed to explore the feasibility of substituting commonly used feed ingredients with food waste inclusions in broiler chickens. After exploring food waste digestibility in an earlier broiler study, a trial was conducted at the University of New England to determine the growth performance of broiler chickens when fed diets consisting of up to 70% food waste. The trial consisted of 4 treatments. Treatment 1 acted as a control, consisting of commonly used commercial ingredients; wheat and soybean meal. Treatment 3 consisted of 30% commercial ingredients and 70% food waste inclusions, including fruit and vegetable meal, bakery meal, meat and bone meal, fish offal, and spent brewer’s grain. Treatment 2 was made of a 50:50 blend of treatments 1 and 2, thus consisting of 65% commercial ingredients and 35% food waste inclusions. Treatment 4 consisted of 35% commercial ingredients, and 65% food waste inclusions. The food waste inclusions in treatment 4 included those mentioned previously, as well as experimental ingredients such as pub, restaurant, university, hospital, and nursing home waste. Food Recycle Ltd supplied the processed food waste streams, which were collected and processed according to their patents (PCT/AU2017/051130, PCT/AU2023/050227 & PCT/AU2024/051021). In the starter phase, treatment 2 had the highest weight gain and feed intake. Treatment 3 had the second highest weight gain, and both treatments 2 and 3 had the lowest FCR (0.96). In the grower and finisher phases, treatment 1 had the highest weight gain and feed intake, while treatment 3 had lower weight gain and feed intake. Treatment 2 had intermediate results. In the withdrawal phase, treatment 3 had the highest weight gain and lowest feed intake, with a significantly lower FCR (1.49) than treatment 1 (1.81). Treatment 2 once again had intermediate results. Overall, treatment 3 had lower weight gain (2618 g/bird) and feed intake (3992 g/bird) than treatments 1 and 2 without any significant difference in FCR, having an overall FCR of 1.54. Treatment 1 had the highest weight gain (3200 g/bird) and feed intake (4840 g/bird) with an FCR of 1.45. Treatment 2 had intermediate results (2994 g/bird of weight gain and 4465 g/bird of feed intake), with an FCR of 1.46. Treatment 4 consistently performed below all of the other treatments, having the lowest weight gain and feed intake, and highest FCR in every stage of the trial. There were no significant differences in weight gain or FCR between treatments 1 and 2 overall, suggesting that food waste inclusions of up to 35% maintain performance while reducing feed costs of 8 cents per kg of live gain.

Sustainable food production with zero waste is a major challenge for modern societies. The rapid increase in organic waste driven by population growth has intensified environmental pressures, including soil and water contamination, greenhouse‑gas emissions, and depletion of natural resources. Insect‑based organic‑waste management has emerged as a rapidly developing sector, with several species evaluated for their ability to convert waste streams into valuable products. Insects are highly efficient bioconverters due to their fast growth rates, simple nutritional requirements, and ability to thrive on low‑value organic substrates, making them ideal candidates for circular‑economy applications. Among them, the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens, and the yellow mealworm (YM), Tenebrio molitor, are the most extensively studied. Two European PRIMA projects, OLIWA and CIPROMED, have served as a cornerstone for advancing this field, bringing together collaborations across multiple Mediterranean countries. The OLIWA project utilizes BSF to valorize olive‑processing residues, while CIPROMED employs YM as a bioconverter of agro‑industrial byproducts such as cotton, cannabis, whey, raisin, and dairy side‑streams. Both projects adopt a circular‑economy approach to repurposing agro‑industrial waste, yielding highly promising environmental and economic benefits, including reduced waste volumes, lower disposal costs, and the generation of high‑value insect‑derived products. These insect species demonstrate strong potential to support sustainable waste‑management strategies through effective bioconversion, producing outputs such as insect biomass, chitin, chitosan, frass, and insect‑derived oils. As research and industrial interest continue to grow, insect‑based bioconversion systems hold significant promise for scalable, cost‑effective, and environmentally resilient waste‑management solutions.

The environmental impact of food production is immense, yet approximately 30% of all food produced is lost or wasted from farm to table. Food processing accounts for 35% of these losses, making it a critical stage in the value chain to address. These losses often occur in the form of so-called side streams such as e.g. cocoa hulls from cocoa roasting or wheat bran from flour milling. Side streams are often nutritionally valuable and economically underutilized but pose challenges such as a potential risk of biological or chemical contaminants. The aim of the presented work is to develop processing strategies to valorise side streams into valuable food ingredients and in a second step to produce desirable food products containing valorised side streams in substantial fractions (>20%). 14 side streams were selected based on their environmental impact and the amount generated. Detailed analyses were then conducted to assess the technofunctional, biological, chemical, and nutritional quality and challenges of these side streams such as biological and chemical contaminants as well as potential legal restrictions. Additionally, the feasibility of various upcycling processes was explored, including mechanical, thermal, biological, and chemical treatments, to enhance the side streams' suitability for further applications. Lastly, prototype food products were developed for the five side streams cocoa hulls, coffee spent ground, coffee silverskin, spent grain and barley rootlets with the aim of using substantial amounts of the side streams while achieving a desirable taste and texture of the food products. Results include (a) Classification and Potential Analysis: Overview of opportunities, limitations, and environmental impacts of valorizing side streams in food production, (b)  Product Development & Evaluation: Assessment of 3 prototype products based on side streams (chocolate containing cocoa bean hulls, meat analogues containing barley rootlets and/or brewer’s spent grain, granola containing coffee spent ground and/or coffee silverskin. The results include the analyses of technological processability, sensory quality, safety, legal aspects and the environmental impact. (c) Practice-Oriented Decision Support: Provision of clearly structured decision trees that guide companies step by step from side stream to market-ready final product. The project highlights the strong potential of using valorised side streams in high quality end products, thus contributing to a more sustainable food system. Together, both presentations provide a practice-oriented basis for moving from technical feasibility to environmentally robust implementation.

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The growing demand for sustainable and cost-effective alternative feed ingredients has intensified interest in the valorisation of agricultural and agro-industrial by-products as viable substitutes for conventional feed raw materials. The LIFE-INOFEED project (LIFE24-ENV-EL-LIFE-INOFEED, 101215561), co-funded by the European Union under the LIFE Programme, develops and demonstrates a decentralised solar-assisted drying system, the Autonomous On-Site Drying Unit (AOSDU), for the on-site treatment of food-related biowastes and their conversion into safe, marketable feed ingredients. The present study focuses on the physicochemical characterisation of solar-dried materials derived from four representative feedstock streams: brewers' spent grain, non-marketable fruits and vegetables (supermarket residues), two-phase olive pomace and cucumber processing residues. Samples were collected from the AOSDU prototype unit operating under real-life conditions and subjected to comprehensive analysis, including proximate composition (dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre and ash), mineral content and microbiological safety parameters, in full compliance with EU feed legislation (Regulation (EC) No 183/2005). Preliminary results demonstrate that solar drying efficiently reduces moisture content to below 12% within short processing times, yielding products with nutritional profiles consistent with established alternative feed ingredient categories. The significant compositional variability observed across feedstock streams underlines the necessity of source-specific quality assessment and tailored feed formulation strategies. Beyond establishing a growing evidence base for the use of solar-dried agro-industrial by-products as sustainable feed ingredients, these findings will directly inform the optimisation of the technical parameters of the LIFE-INOFEED pilot-scale AOSDUs. In doing so, they simultaneously advance the circular economy objectives of the project, demonstrating a replicable model for the integrated valorisation of food-related bio-waste across the European agri-food sector.

This study introduces a sustainable methodology for fabricating cost-effective ceramic membranes through the amalgamation of two locally available and economical raw materials: fuller’s earth clay (FEC) and sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA). Three membrane compositions were created through uniaxial dry-pressing and subsequently sintered at 850 °C: M1 (100% FEC), M2 (95% FEC+5% SBA), and M3 (90% FEC+10% SBA). The raw materials were characterized using XRD, XRF, SEM-EDX, FTIR, TG-DTA, and the particle size distribution (PSD). XRF showed that SiO2 (48.40%) and Al₂O₃ (15.50%) make up most of FEC. TG-DTA analysis showed that all volatile compounds are released below 850 °C, which confirms that the chosen sintering temperature is correct. The fabricated membranes were tested for their physical, mechanical, structural, and transport properties. As the SBA content increased, linear shrinkage decreased from 13.5% (M1) to 9.4% (M3), and porosity surged from 36.5% to 39.1%. After being immersed in strong acid (HCl, pH 1) and strong base (NaOH, pH 14) for a week, the membranes only lost 2.22-2.77% and 0.54-0.70% of their weight, indicating that the fabricated membranes can withstand harsh chemical environments. The three-point bending test showed membranes M1, M2, and M3 exhibited a strong mechanical strength of 36.6 MPa, 25.12 MPa, and 7.51 MPa, respectively. SEM imaging showed that the surfaces were very porous and granular, and FTIR and XRD tests showed that the silicate and aluminosilicate phases were still present after sintering. Dead-end filtration showed that the water flux increased linearly with pressure (0.35 to 1.72 bar), resulting in hydraulic permeabilities of 174.2, 460, and 571.8 L m^-2 h^-1 bar^-1 for M1, M2, and M3, respectively. The calculated pore sizes of 0.365, 0.512, and 0.85 µm put all three membranes in the microfiltration range. Using an activity-based costing method, the total cost of production was about 53-54 $/m², which is much lower than the cost of commercially available zirconia or alumina-based membranes (500-3000 $/m²). These results prove that FEC-SBA ceramic membranes are a promising, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative for microfiltration applications. They also support the goals of the circular economy and UNSDG 12.

The transition toward a circular economy has become a strategic priority within European environmental and agri-food policies, placing increasing pressure on food production systems to reduce waste and maximise resource efficiency. The wine sector generates large volumes of by-products during grape processing; however, these materials are often underutilised despite their high biological and economic value. Grape pomace, consisting of grape skins and seeds, represents a largely untapped bioresource with significant potential to support sustainable innovation in the wine and food industries. Driven by growing demand for health-oriented and functional foods, grape-derived by-products have attracted increasing attention due to their rich content of bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. These compounds have been associated with beneficial physiological effects, including cardiovascular protection and immune system support. As a result, grape pomace should no longer be considered waste, but rather a strategic raw material within circular agri-food systems. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the valorisation pathways of winery by-products, with a particular focus on grape pomace utilisation. The research is based on a targeted review of international scientific literature, combined with market mapping of grape-derived products currently available in Hungary. In addition, practice-based insights were collected through qualitative expert interviews with two leading Hungarian winemakers to identify applied technologies and real-world challenges related to by-product processing. The analysis reveals a wide range of high-value applications for grape pomace, including grape seed flour, grape seed oil, cosmetic ingredients, functional foods for human consumption, and feed products for animals. Existing market examples demonstrate that integrating by-product valorisation into winery operations can contribute to economic diversification, improved sustainability performance, and enhanced resilience of wine enterprises. The findings highlight the need for integrated value chain approaches, technological development, and knowledge transfer to fully exploit the hidden value of grape pomace. Overall, the study argues that systematic utilisation of winery by-products represents a key opportunity for advancing circular economy principles while strengthening the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the wine sector.

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) generate sludge with elevated nutrient concentrations, particularly nitrogen (~57 g·kg⁻¹ DM) and phosphorus (~20 g·kg⁻¹ DM), representing a potentially valuable secondary raw material for agriculture (van Rijn, 2013). This study evaluated vermicomposting, pellet production, and direct soil application focusing on process parameters, agronomic performance, and economic feasibility. Vermicomposting experiments were conducted using Eisenia andrei.  Fresh and flocculated sludge contained ammonium levels between 0.01–0.05 %, which caused high earthworm mortality when applied without stabilisation. Pre-composting for seven days combined with mixing sludge with straw significantly reduced ammonia toxicity, improved the C:N ratio, and enhanced substrate structure and aeration. Under stabilised conditions, earthworm survival exceeded 90 %, accompanied by biomass gain and cocoon production. The resulting vermicompost exhibited improved physical properties and increased levels of plant-available nutrients. At market prices of approximately € 56–72 per tonne, the simple payback period for a vermicomposting unit was estimated at 2–3 years, assuming steady sludge input and low external energy demand. Pellet production was assessed to improve material stability and transport efficiency. Dewatered sludge (25 % DM) was mixed 1:1 (w/w) with wood dust to enhance pellet integrity and reduce zinc content from 977 mg·kg⁻¹ in raw sludge to 446 mg·kg⁻¹ in the final product, meeting regulatory limits. The mixture (43 % DM) was dried to 85–86 % DM prior to pelletisation. Energy analysis identified drying as the dominant cost factor: fully electric drying resulted in production costs of approximately € 0.24–0.36 per kg, while natural gas reduced costs to € 0.07–0.08 per kg, and biomass-based heat to € 0.03–0.05 per kg. Pelletisation itself represented a minor share of total energy demand. The final pellet contained 30.4 g·kg⁻¹ N and 10.7 g·kg⁻¹ P (DM basis) and complied with heavy-metal thresholds. Agronomic performance was verified in pot trials with lettuce (Lactuca sativa), comparing fresh sludge, flocculated sludge, pelletised fertiliser, mineral fertiliser (Control+), and unfertilised control (Control−). Fresh and flocculated sludge treatments at recommended nutrient doses achieved biomass production comparable to or exceeding mineral fertilisation, while a high-dose sludge treatment (25 %) showed low growth due to ammonium toxicity. Overall, the results demonstrate that RAS sludge can be transformed into agronomically effective fertiliser products when ammonia stabilisation, heavy-metal management, and energy-efficient processing are appropriately addressed, supporting circular integration between aquaculture and agriculture.

Rapid global population growth is intensifying the demand for essential resources, including food, energy, water, housing, and infrastructure. Concurrently, accelerated urbanization processes are leading to significant environmental challenges, such as the loss of agricultural land, depletion of natural water resources, intensification of the urban heat island (UHI) effect, increased energy consumption, and the expansion of urban infrastructure. These pressures are further exacerbated by climate change and the rapid rise in global temperatures, particularly in semi-arid and desert regions, where environmental conditions are already extreme. In response to these challenges, there is a critical need to develop innovative and sustainable strategies for food production and renewable energy generation that can be effectively integrated within urban environments. Such approaches should aim not only to enhance local food security through urban and modern agricultural practices but also to contribute to mitigating the UHI effect and improving overall urban environmental quality. The integration of green infrastructure with renewable energy systems represents a promising pathway toward achieving these goals. This study investigates the implementation of rooftop agrivoltaic systems within an urban setting characterized by a semi-arid desert climate. Specifically, it examines the environmental, economic, energetic, and agricultural performance of strawberry cultivation on a green roof integrated with a photovoltaic (PV) system designed for on-site renewable electricity generation. An experimental framework was established to assess multiple performance indicators associated with the green roof and agrivoltaic system. These include stormwater runoff reduction and retention dynamics, soil temperature regulation, water consumption, roof and surface temperature variations, shading effects, evaporation rates, crop yield, relative humidity, and evapotranspiration processes. Data were collected through a comprehensive network of sensors deployed across the experimental site to ensure high-resolution monitoring of both microclimatic and agronomic parameters. The empirical data obtained from the experimental system were subsequently integrated into advanced analytical frameworks, including techno-economic modeling, building energy performance simulations using DesignBuilder software, and life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies. These analyses enable a holistic evaluation of the system’s performance, considering both environmental impacts and economic feasibility. Overall, this research aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of rooftop agrivoltaic systems as a multifunctional solution for sustainable urban development, particularly in regions facing water scarcity, high temperatures, and limited land availability.

One of the most severe sustainability dilemmas in modern agriculture is the low Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) of conventional nitrogen fertilizers, particularly urea. Upon entering the soil, urea undergoes extremely rapid hydrolysis driven by microbial urease enzymes, leading to a sudden surge in ammonium concentration. This process often outpaces the actual nutrient uptake capacity of plants, resulting in significant ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching, and denitrification losses. These phenomena not only raise economic concerns but also induce critical environmental burdens, such as eutrophication and the emission of greenhouse gases. To address these anomalies, research has focused on the development of an innovative hybrid coating system that combines the advancements of nanotechnology with the biochemical advantages of organic raw materials derived from the circular economy. The study centers on the coating of urea granules with a nano-sulfur (nS) layer. The application of nano-sulfur represents a technological breakthrough compared to traditional sulfur coatings; due to its exceptionally high specific surface area and excellent dispersion capabilities, it forms a more continuous, hydrophobic phase on the fertilizer surface, free of micro-cracks. This physical barrier effectively regulates osmotic water infiltration into the granule, thereby delaying the release of the active ingredient and the onset of hydrolytic processes. However, the efficiency of the system is finalized through the integration of organic additives, where lignite, biochar, and compost—along with various animal by-products such as meat meal and blood meal—contribute synergistically to the optimization of nutrient management. Porous organic components, such as lignite and biochar, not only stabilize the nano-sulfur layer but also possess a high cation exchange capacity, enabling them to bind released ammonium ions and reduce volatile losses. Concurrently, animal-derived protein sources function as slow-release organic nitrogen sources that gradually become available to the plants. The presence of these materials in the micro-environment modifies soil biological activity and improves the water-retention capacity of the rhizosphere, which is of decisive importance for the continuity of nutrient release during drought periods. Consequently, the applied complex hybrid coating system does not merely synchronize nitrogen release kinetics with plant demand but also indirectly improves nitrogen uptake by providing sulfur as a supplementary nutrient, as sulfur is essential for protein synthesis and nitrogen metabolism. Preliminary results clearly support that the combined application of nano-sulfur and a diverse organic matrix drastically reduces environmental emissions while maximizing the agronomic efficiency of fertilization. By repurposing animal by-products and fossil-derived organic matter (lignite) as value-added resources, this approach may become a pillar of circular agriculture, offering a sustainable and precision-oriented alternative for future plant nutrition strategies.

Sat4Φorest is the forest monitoring service developed under Axis 3 of the Greek National Satellite Space Project (GNSSP), an initiative of the Ministry of Digital Governance, which aims to develop of a fully Greek- owned microsatellite constellation of 13 satellites equipped with thermal, multispectral, hyperspectral, and SAR sensors. Sat4Forest is designed to maximise the added value of GNSSP for Greek forest by delivering timely, consistent, validated and regularly updated earth observation-based information to the national authorities. Sat4Φorest integrates multisource data derived from the multispectral and hyperspectral sensors to deliver products of forest species mapping, wildland fuel type mapping, forest health assessment, biodiversity mapping, and forest threats monitoring, including urbanisation, deforestation, forest diseases, and drought-related pressures. These products will be produced annually or biannually at national level and in high spatial resolution of 5 m or 10 m and be available to users through a central governmental hub. These products provide actionable information for forest management, wildfire prevention, and protection of natural resources, contributing to the advancement of Greek forest ecosystems’ resilience and sustainability under growing climate-related challenges.

Background and Objective Maintaining strict temperature integrity across global cold chains is crucial for preserving the quality and safety of perishable foods, vaccines, and biopharmaceuticals(Charlton. K, 2016; Ahmed Edhirej et al,  2017). While conventional commercial TTIs provide irreversible tracking, they are often constrained by high manufacturing costs, fixed operational ranges, or complex chemical components that present migration risks in food safety applications. Conversely, previously explored photonic crystal-based indicators offer excellent visual properties but are almost exclusively reversible, returning to their original optical state upon cooling and failing to permanently record thermal abuse. This study introduces a novel, passive, non-toxic, and highly cost-effective TTI framework utilizing silicate photonic crystals integrated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to deliver a definitive, tamper-proof, and irreversible optical alert system(Zhao, et al, 2022; Soltani Firouz M, et al, 2021).

Methodology The TTI device was fabricated as a multi-layer lamination comprising an optically responsive sensing layer—made from monodisperse silica photonic crystals coated onto a background-suppressing black Kraft paper substrate—integrated with a solid phase-change PEG thermal trigger film. Thermal programmability across a broad operational window (-20°C to +65°C) was engineered by strategically blending individual and binary mixtures of various molecular weight PEGs (PEG 200–4000). Structural, chemical, and optical transformations were thoroughly validated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and Photoluminescence (PL) analysis(Xin Zhang X, et al, 2022)..

Results DSC analysis confirmed tunable melting parameters (spanning -35°C to +70°C) governed by the specific PEG blend ratio. Upon reaching the designated activation threshold, the solid PEG film undergoes a phase transition and permanently infiltrates the porous silica network via capillary action. SEM imaging verified a distinct morphological shift from an initially porous texture to a smooth, uniform polymeric coating. This permanent infiltration replaces the air voids, decreasing the refractive index contrast and disrupting the photonic bandgap. Consequently, UV-Vis spectra revealed a major redshift in absorption peaks (from 663.95 nm to 1013.30 nm), translating into a highly noticeable macroscopic color change from a vibrant structural blue to a completely muted, dark hue. Response lag times demonstrate extreme flexibility, independently scaling from 3.0 to 10.1 minutes by altering the PEG film thickness (2.32 mm to 5.95 mm). Simulated real-time environmental trials successfully validated reproducible, irreversible alerts at critical packaging thresholds of 8°C, 25°C, and 55°C.

Conclusion and Significance The developed system offers a scientifically robust, instrumentation-free solution that resolves the reversibility dilemma of traditional photonic crystal sensors using cheap, scalable, and entirely food-safe materials. By providing decoupled control over both threshold temperature and time-delay kinetics within a single, adaptable architectural design, this platform presents a highly accessible solution for smart labels to safeguard logistics networks in the food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors.

The transition towards Circular Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) has emerged as a strategic priority for enhancing resource efficiency, climate resilience, and food security. While considerable advances have been achieved in individual technological domains—including water reuse, nutrient recovery, renewable energy integration, precision irrigation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital farming—these innovations are typically developed and evaluated independently. Consequently, the lack of integrated validation under commercial production conditions remains a major barrier to their large-scale adoption. This paper proposes a Living Lab framework for accelerating the transition towards circular CEA by integrating water, energy, nutrient, and digital management within a single collaborative innovation ecosystem. Τhe proposed framework combines closed-loop water and nutrient management, renewable energy utilization, advanced sensing technologies, Internet of Things (IoT) networks, AI-based decision support, and Digital Twin modelling under real greenhouse operating conditions. Equally important, the framework incorporates growers, researchers, technology providers, SMEs, public authorities, and other stakeholders throughout the co-design, implementation, validation, and assessment process, ensuring that technological innovation is aligned with practical needs and market adoption. This approach is consistent with the multi-actor Living Lab philosophy adopted within the Horizon Europe THRIVE-CEA project, where five regional Living Labs are being established to validate integrated CEA solutions under diverse climatic and production conditions. Greece hosts one of these Living Labs, focusing on Mediterranean greenhouse systems and circular production practices. Beyond technology demonstration, the proposed framework establishes a methodology for evaluating circular greenhouse systems using integrated environmental, agronomic, technical, and socio-economic indicators. By simultaneously addressing water and nutrient recirculation, renewable energy use, digital decision support, and stakeholder engagement, the Living Lab creates the conditions required for the practical implementation of circular greenhouse production. The framework presented here provides a scalable pathway for supporting the transition towards resilient, resource-efficient, and digitally enabled CEA systems across Mediterranean regions and beyond.

In the framework of sustainable cultivation, natural resources should be used rationally for the production of agricultural products of low environmental footprint. So, in the present study, three composts produced in Crete were evaluated in greenhouse cultivation of three Mediterranean medicinal aromatic plants, in comparison with two levels of fertilization, aiming to utilize biowaste and to reduce the use of fertilizers and water for irrigation. In the middle of May 2026, rooted cuttings of Thymus capitata, Satureja thymbra and Origanum majorana were planted in plastic pots, which contained 1.3 L of the following substrates: i) enriched peat-perlite 2:1 (v/v), ii) enriched peat-compost Α (produced from olive pruning, supplied by the Laboratory of Natural Resources, Management and Agricultural Engineering of the Department of Agriculture, HMU, Heraklion, Greece)-perlite 1:1:1 (v/v), iii) enriched peat-compost Β (produced from source segregated biowaste, supplied by DEDISA, Chania, Greece)-perlite 1:1:1 (v/v), and iv) enriched peat-compost C (produced from urban greenery pruning/ mulch, supplied by DEDISA, Chania, Greece)-perlite 1:1:1 (v/v). Six weeks after planting, monthly fertilization with the fertilizer BEST 20-20-20 (BESTAGRO, Athens, Greece), at half (0.75 g/L) and normal (1.5 g/L) concentration, was applied. The experiment lasted for totally 14 weeks. Each substrate was irrigated when the upper 2.0 cm of the substrate was dried (about 22–25% (v/v) substrate moisture content) and the dates of irrigation were recorded. The physicochemical properties of the composts and substrates, such as moisture (%), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (%), organic carbon (%) on dry weight and nutrients' determination (N, P, K), were measured and were correlated with the growth measurements in plants, such as survival rate (%), plant height and diameter (cm), number of lateral shoots, which were recorded monthly, as well as fresh and dry weight of aboveground and underground part, which were recorded at the end of the experiment. Conclusions were drawn regarding the effect of each type of compost on the growth of each plant species and the reduction in the number of required irrigations throughout the growing season, as well as on the effectiveness of growth in the substrates with different types of compost compared to the two levels of fertilization.

Farmers must constantly meet broad consumer expectations: more food, in appropriate quality, and of course, sustainably. Food security is not an issue nowadays, but within the European Union, increasingly strict legal conditions must also be met. The Green Deal, particularly the drastic reduction in the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, pose a fundamental challenge for farmers. Integrated pest management is essential in crop production, one element of which is that the later protection of the crop is based on balanced nutrient supply. As nitrogen remains the primary limiting macronutrient in agricultural production, it represents an extensively researched domain where continuous innovation is imperative to pivot growers toward a more resilient and sustainable future. Moreover, due to commercial anomalies, supply chains can be compromised overnight, causing commodity prices to escalate exponentially. Consequently, optimizing Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) is no longer just an environmental goal but an economic necessity. Urea fertilizer and its solutions are used in the largest volume worldwide for N supply (CAN and AN are also common in Europe). Despite the significant active ingredient content, it is prone to leaching and environmental ammonia emission, which makes the development of new, innovative solutions urgent in agricultural practice. Additionally, we must consider that the availability of synthetic nitrogen does not necessarily coincide with the physiological needs of the plant. This study examines a new, multifunctional approach by developing a slow-release urea (SRF) coating which follows the principles of the circular economy and originates from slaughterhouse by-products (meat and bone meal), the effects of which are enhanced by soil-acting biostimulants. We investigate a new multi-stage nutrient delivery system aimed at synchronizing urea hydrolysis with the uptake needs of plants using a biomimetic coating strategy and microbial priming. These protein-rich matrices do more than regulate N-release; they serve as potent rhizosphere primers, stimulating beneficial microbial activity. The goal of the research is to develop a multilayer coating system that not only slows down release but also enriches the soil with organic matter and an essential microelement (nano-sulfur). Sulfur participates in the research not only as a nutrient; it has a fungistatic effect, aids nitrogen incorporation, and plays an outstanding role in the development of Systemic Acquired Resistance, thus increasing the resilience of plants. Our research aims to verify the effectiveness of this multi-stage nutrient delivery system, which simultaneously mitigates environmental load and ensures sustainable yield growth.

In the south of Mexico City (CDMX) is the lacustre zone of Xochimilco (Galicia et al., 2019) declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as well as being part of the  Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and as a wetland of global importance in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Torres-Lima and Cruz-Castillo, 2019). Xochimilco is a territory that is home to an environmental and cultural ecosystem with an ancestral agricultural culture of pre-Hispanic origin which are the chinampas; an artificial cultivation system built in areas where water is the main resource, with the aim of growing plants and vegetables (González, 2019). There are currently 20,000 chinampas, with different land uses from: agricultural activities, tourism, residential use and flower production (Pérez-Belmont et al., 2021). However, the chinampas suffer from a complex problem that comes from the impact of urbanisation, the misery of agricultural activity, and the contradictory and limited public policies that have been promoted to conserve this territory, but paradoxically have contributed to its destruction (Delgadillo, 2009). However, the chinampas show the complexity of agricultural activity for the sustainable use of water, soil, organic waste and the cultivation of native species (Merlo-Geleazzi et al., 2021); managing to consolidate a form of local development and a space for mitigating climate change, as it is an innovative agricultural production system that was developed before colonialism and is still being used today for food production (González and Torres, 2014). These floating islands form part of 59% of Mexico City's conservation land and it is there where residents of this area are dedicated to the production of vegetables and corn, to satisfy part of the local demand for food by the inhabitants of Mexico City (Rojas and Aguilar, 2020). In recent years, thanks to the become aware of the producers through the support of local authorities (Merlín-Uribe et al., 2013), non-governmental organisations and academic institutions, it has been decided to reactivate the agricultural activity in these pre-Hispanic agroecosystems with an agroecological vision, taking advantage of endogenous resources: mud, water lilies, sediments, organic waste (González and Torres, 2014) to obtain bioinputs that allow the production of food free of agrochemicals and taking advantage of the high productivity of the chinampera area (Díaz, 2019). In addition to cleaning canals and reconditioning abandoned and unfit for agricultural practices chinampas (González, 2019).

Organic waste biomasses accumulation highlights needs of sustainable strategies aimed at their recovery and valorization. The present study evaluates four Mediterranean organic waste matrices: olive pomace (OP), lemon/orange pomace (LOP), Posidonia oceanica detritus (POD), and forest pruning residues (PR). Selected lignocellulolytic fungi and bacteria were evaluated for their ability to enhance complex plant-derived polymers degradation, improve substrate characteristics, and support the production of value-added bioproducts. Fungal degradation trials were performed using Aspergillus niger, A. tubingensis, Trichoderma harzianum, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Laetiporus sulphureus. Substrate properties were modified by fungal activity, leading to decreased pH and increased electrical conductivity, both related to organic matter transformation and mineralization processes. OP, LOP, and PR supported extensive mycelial growth, reaching up to 9 cm, whereas POD showed limited colonization, with growth values ≤ 0.5 cm after 9 days of incubation process. Among the tested fungi, A. niger, A. tubingensis, and T. harzianum emerged as the most effective strains, showing strong colonization ability and high degradative potential. Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) revealed substrate-specific radiodensity changes during fungal biotransformation. OP and LOP inoculated with A. niger and A. tubingensis showed increased median radiodensity values, suggesting biomass accumulation and partial mineralization. Conversely, PR shifted toward negative Hounsfield Unit values, reflecting structural disaggregation and pore formation. In parallel, four bacterial microorganisms were isolated from native P. oceanica detritus and individually inoculated into the four selected matrices to assess their degradative potential. DECT proved to be a powerful non-destructive approach for monitoring density variations and degradation dynamics during microbial biotransformation of organic waste conversion processes. The chemical and physico-analytical results highlight the potential of selected fungal and bacterial microorganisms as promising biotechnological tools to improve substrate biodegradability and support sustainable valorization of agricultural, marine, and forestry waste biomasses.

Globally, gypsiferous soil covers more than 100 million hectares worldwide, with important occurrences in arid and semi-arid Mediterranean environments. These soils are often characterized by low micronutrient availability, particularly iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), due to high calcium content, sub-alkaline conditions, and reduced nutrients solubility. Microorganisms represent a sustainable strategy to enhance micronutrient mobilization and plant uptake by producing organic acids and other solubilizing compounds, especially when combined with organic amendments. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of bacterial and/or fungal inoculation of a gypsiferous soil amended with vermicompost i) on biofortification of tomato plants with Fe and Zn and ii) on tomatoes quality. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. Big Rio) grown in 18 × 22 cm pots containing gypsiferous soil amended with 10% vermicompost. Biofortification treatments received Zn as zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO_{2 ·} 7H₂O) and Fe as sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO2 · 7H₂O), respectively. Zinc and iron were supplied as split applications during plant growth. Zinc was applied twice at 7.3 mg pot⁻¹, 21 days apart, while iron was applied twice at 43.8 mg pot⁻¹, also 21 days apart. Microbial inoculation was performed in two steps: Trichoderma harzianum was applied at transplanting at 50 mL pot⁻¹ and 1 × 10⁶ conidia mL⁻¹, followed by a second application 20 days later at 25 mL pot⁻¹ at the same concentration. Pantoea agglomerans was applied 5 days after transplanting at 50 mL pot⁻¹ and 1 × 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹, followed by a second application 20 days later at 25 mL pot⁻¹ at the same concentration. The experiment included five replicates per treatment, arranged in a completely randomized design, with pots periodically repositioned to minimize positional effects under greenhouse conditions. Biofortification will be assessed by quantifying the uptake of Fe and Zn in different plant organs. The effects of biofortification and microbial inoculation on fruit quality will be assessed by evaluating secondary metabolites and vitamin C content in tomato fruits. The results will be presented at the congress.

Fertilizer coating is a new technique in fertilizer management in an effort to make them more efficient in use and reduce their negative effects on the environment. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a major greenhouse gas, and the agricultural soils are apparently one of the major anthropogenic sources of N2O gases, principally due to the application of N fertilizers like urea. This experiment investigated the impacts of the application of the double coating of urea with nano sulfur and organic substances; lignite, biochar and compost on the fluxes of N2O emitted by silty clay and sandy loam soils. The fluxes of N2O were recorded in an N2O analyzer in a controlled environment for 26 days. We determined cumulative fluxes of N2O of the various treatment with propagated uncertainties. Maximum N2O emission (155.64 µg N m -2 h -1) was greater in Sandy loam soil than silty clay soil (24. 47 N m -2 h -1). In both soils, the uncoated urea and urea + nano sulfur coating led to increased N2O emissions. In the meantime, organic second layer surfaces reduce the N2O fluxes particularly in sandy loam. This was because the second organic layer coating reduced the N2O emissions with relatively less effects in silty clay soil (3.8-7.0%), but more in the sandy loam soil (35.2-41.5%). Lignite was found to be the best organic coating material followed by biochar and compost. The findings reveal that fertilizer induced N2O emissions are significantly influenced by the urea coating as fertilizer management treatment and the soil texture. The results indicate that the urea coating as fertilizer management strategy as well as soil texture have considerable effects on fertilizer induced N2O emissions.

Use Case 5 of the iMERMAID project evaluated innovative technologies for the monitoring and remediation of organic micropollutants in municipal solid waste landfill leachate under real operating conditions. Landfill leachates contain a wide range of contaminants of emerging concern (CoECs), including persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals, many of which are not effectively removed by conventional treatment technologies.

The demonstration focused on assessing an integrated approach combining advanced remediation technologies, real-time monitoring, and ecotoxicological assessment. The pilot was conducted at the leachate treatment plant of the Pera Galini Sanitary Landfill in Crete, Greece, where four innovative technologies were deployed: (i) the AKVO microfluidic remediation system for the degradation of three target organic micropollutants—bentazone, propamocarb, and bisphenol A; (ii) the Electrochemical Sensor Box 2 for on-site, real-time monitoring of the same target compounds; (iii) a portable electrochemical sensor for automated detection of perfluorooctanoic acid; and (iv) the Heavy Metal Box for online monitoring of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn. In parallel, a battery of toxicity assays was performed to evaluate the environmental impact of the treatment.

The pilot confirmed the technical feasibility of integrating advanced remediation with real-time monitoring for landfill leachate management under field conditions. While the complex leachate matrix limited the efficiency of photocatalytic degradation, the sensor platforms demonstrated reliable operation and highlighted their potential for continuous environmental monitoring. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the performance of remediation and monitoring technologies and identifies key areas for improving remediation efficiency, sensor robustness, and automated monitoring of complex wastewater streams.

Greece generates a wide range of agri-food residues and by-products, reflecting the diversity of agricultural production across its regions. Although these materials have considerable potential for reuse and valorisation, a significant proportion remains unexploited or is currently directed towards relatively low-value uses. At the same time, the characteristics of agri-food waste vary considerably between regions, making locally adapted approaches essential for identifying technically feasible and economically viable solutions.

The LIFE-IP CEI-Greece project, which supports the implementation of Greece’s national waste management and circular economy policies, addresses this challenge through the development of local and regional voluntary alliances for agri-food waste management. These alliances bring together stakeholders involved in the generation, management and potential use of agri-food residues, including local and regional authorities, farmers, producers, processors, research institutions and other relevant organisations.

Within these alliances, Agri-food Waste Management Plans are developed to map locally generated waste streams, examine existing management practices and identify opportunities for their improved use and valorisation. Rather than promoting a single solution, the approach takes into account the type and composition of the waste, quantities generated, local conditions, available infrastructure and potential markets. Depending on these factors, different management and valorisation pathways can be considered. An electronic decision-support tool developed through the project complements this process by helping stakeholders explore suitable circular management options.

Experience from the implementation of the action highlights the importance of cooperation at local and regional level in moving from the identification of available resources to practical circular economy solutions. Establishing links between waste producers, potential users, public authorities, research organisations and other market actors can help address existing gaps and create opportunities for new value chains.

The presentation discusses the approach followed by LIFE-IP CEI-Greece, the experience gained through the establishment of the voluntary alliances and the preparation of Agri-food Waste Management Plans, as well as some of the main challenges encountered. It also considers how locally based partnerships and better coordination between stakeholders can contribute to turning agri-food residues into resources and support the wider transition towards a circular bioeconomy in Greece.

Recent studies on active antimicrobial packaging have focused on controlling the release of natural volatile compounds to inhibit microbial growth in food. A novel approach involves using reversible covalent bonds to anchor and release the active compound as needed in response to one or more external stimuli. The aim of this study was to design a delivery system based on chitosan films with acid responsive release of antimicrobial trans-2-hexenal to extend the shelf life of fresh fruit salad. Responsive chitosan-based films were developed by covalently anchoring trans-2-hexenal to preformed films through the formation of imine bonds. The resulting aldehyde-functionalized films were characterized to confirm bond formation and their reversibility by means of hydrolysis under mild acidic conditions. Antimicrobial activity was first evaluated in vitro against Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua and Botrytis cinerea. The films were incorporated into double-bottom polylactic acid (PLA) containers and evaluated using a fresh fruit salad consisting of cubes of melon, pineapple, and grapes. The samples were stored at 4 °C for 12 days and the microbiological load and freshness parameters were monitored during storage. The salad was also inoculated with the pathogenic bacteria mentioned above and the microbiological efficacy of the active packaging was evaluated. In addition, the trans-2-hexenal content of the fruit salad was analysed on days 3, 6, 9 and 12 of storage. The films showed in vitro microbicidal activity, as fruit exudates triggering imine bond hydrolysis and aldehyde release. The active packaging system effectively maintained microbial loads within acceptable limits, showing notable reductions compared to control samples. After 12 days of storage, mould, yeast and mesophilic microorganisms reached 5.2 log CFU/g in the control fruit, while values of 2.9 log CFU/g were observed in the fruit packaged with the active system, highlighting its effectiveness in preserving fruit quality. The system also reduced inoculated Salmonella enterica, Listeria innocua and Escherichia coli. On day 12, trans-2-hexenal concentrations were 3.1 ± 0.4 µg/g and 2.0 ± 0.4 µg/g when 0.5 g and 0.25 g of active film were used, respectively. These novel packaging systems effectively prolong the shelf life of minimally processed fruit salads, which contributes to minimize food waste in the retail sector and consumers home.

Urban areas are increasingly exposed to the impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, urban heat islands, extreme rainfall events, air pollution, biodiversity loss, and declining environmental quality. Nature-based Solutions (NBS), particularly green walls and green roofs, have been widely recognized as effective strategies for improving urban resilience. However, their large-scale implementation is frequently constrained by structural limitations, installation requirements, permitting procedures, maintenance costs, and the lack of flexibility to adapt interventions to changing urban needs. Consequently, existing green infrastructure often remains restricted to permanent installations with limited applicability in densely built Mediterranean cities. This paper proposes a modular Nature-based Solution framework based on portable green wall systems designed to enhance the adaptability, scalability, and operational flexibility of urban green infrastructure. The proposed concept integrates modular green wall units with renewable energy technologies, rainwater harvesting and recirculation, Internet of Things (IoT)-based environmental monitoring, and intelligent operational management into a self-contained urban greening system. Beyond its engineering characteristics, the framework incorporates plant selection strategies adapted to local microclimatic conditions, biodiversity enhancement, environmental monitoring, and comprehensive sustainability assessment using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA), and techno-economic analysis. Unlike conventional green walls that primarily function as static architectural elements, the proposed framework emphasizes mobility, modularity, rapid deployment, and real-time environmental assessment under actual urban conditions. This enables the strategic placement, relocation, and scaling of green infrastructure according to seasonal demands, urban redevelopment priorities, emergency climate adaptation needs, or temporary interventions in public spaces. Furthermore, the integration of smart monitoring technologies facilitates continuous evaluation of environmental performance, resource consumption, and ecosystem services, providing quantitative evidence for decision-making and future urban planning. The proposed framework is currently being implemented and validated under Mediterranean climatic conditions through the development of a modular portable green wall platform. By integrating circular water management, renewable energy, digital technologies, and Nature-based Solutions within a unified system, this approach provides a scalable pathway towards more resilient, adaptive, and climate-responsive cities while supporting future urban sustainability and climate adaptation strategies.

South Africa’s plant-based protein market remains limited, with commercially produced legumes grown through conventional agriculture. Retail markets often sell commercially processed legumes, such as canned sugar beans, which are widely consumed due to their affordability and convenience. In contrast, indigenous legumes (IL) cultivated across the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, despite their significant nutritional potential, remain underutilised within formal food systems and product development. Limited post-harvest processing and market access increase their vulnerability to spoilage and post-harvest losses. This study aims to explore agroecologically grown indigenous legumes as viable alternative protein sources and to propose canned product applications aligned with existing consumer preferences. A comparative nutrient profile analysis was conducted on three locally sourced indigenous coastal legume varieties, IL-NG1, IL-MZ1 and IL-IN1, against locally commercial retail legume (LCRL) varieties. Legumes were collected from local producers in the local market and analysed for Protein: AM03 [Buchi app. Note no. 3xxOO1en], Dietary fibre: AM09 [AOAC 991.43] and Minerals: Iron (Fe) and Magnesium (Mg) [NMKL 186: ICP-MS]. All macro- and micronutrient values for IL-NG1, IL-MZ1, and IL-IN1 were analysed using one-way ANOVA to test for significant differences between indigenous coastal and LCRL varieties. Where significance was detected, Tukey’s post-hoc test identified specific pairwise differences. A significance level of p < 0.05 was applied, with p < 0.001 considered highly significant. The analysis included key nutrients such as protein, dietary fibre, iron, and magnesium to compare the nutritional profiles across varieties. IL-IN1 recorded the highest magnesium concentrations, 159.4 mg± 20.7 mg and dietary fibre 52.1 g/100 g. IL-NG1 recorded a protein content of 20.1 g /100 g, and with a second-highest fibre content of 44.0 g/100 g, reflecting a strong macro- and micronutrient profile that exceeds most commercially available canned alternatives. IL-NG1 and IL-MZ1 varieties demonstrated significantly higher iron content (p < 0.001). These findings contribute to addressing nutritional challenges and strengthening sustainable food systems through the utilisation of indigenous rural legumes, agroecological practices, and alternative protein sources. Therefore, integrating these varieties into formal canned product applications presents a scalable pathway to reducing post-harvest losses while diversifying South Africa's plant-based protein supply.

Food systems represent a critical interface linking microbial ecosystems across animal, plant, and environmental matrices. Microbial spoilage is a major contributor to food waste in the European Union and also influences food safety through the persistence and succession of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria along the food chain. Species-level characterisation of food-associated bacterial communities, and their temporal dynamics, is therefore essential for developing targeted intervention strategies. This study aimed to characterise bacterial community composition and succession in raw and pasteurised milk, chicken fillets and unwashed lettuce during refrigerated shelf life using species-level 16S rRNA profiling. Full-length 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyse the bacterial communities in raw and pasteurised milk, chicken fillets and unwashed lettuce at 4 time points (product dependent) over their shelf life stored under refrigerated conditions. Product-specific temporal changes in bacterial community composition were observed, reflecting differences in product matrix and initial microbiota. Pasteurised milk showed substantial community restructuring, with Firmicutes declining and Proteobacteria becoming dominant. Raw milk displayed greater initial diversity, comprising Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, but similarly shifted towards Proteobacteria dominance during storage. Raw chicken fillets remained phylum-stable, although spoilage-associated Firmicutes (Brochothrix, Carnobacterium) increased. Unwashed lettuce communities reflected plant-associated microbiota and changes consistent with refrigerated storage. These results demonstrate that refrigerated storage drives predictable yet matrix-specific bacterial succession, creating opportunities for precise control of spoilage and potential foodborne hazards. Species-level knowledge of dominant taxa and their temporal proliferation supports optimisation of preservation and storage strategies, predictive shelf-life modelling, and improved spoilage monitoring. By integrating species-level microbiome data into food system surveillance, this work highlights pathways to reduce food waste while maintaining food quality and safety across perishable food products.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food and beverage (F&B) sector are simultaneously confronted with the demands of the European Union's Twin Green and Digital Transition (TT), which refers to the parallel push toward sustainability and digitalization. While existing business model (BM) frameworks address these dimensions in isolation, no integrated tool exists that systematically combines environmental, social, digital, and economic value creation in a single canvas. This paper addresses that gap by developing and empirically grounding the Quadruple Business Model Canvas (QBMC). The QBMC extends the logic of Osterwalder and Pigneur's (2010) Business Model Canvas and Joyce and Paquin's (2016) Triple Layered Business Model Canvas (TLBMC) by adding an explicit digital layer and repositioning economic viability as a dedicated assessment layer rather than an assumed baseline. The framework comprises four integrated canvases: sustainable, social, digital, and economic. Each canvas is structured around the nine standard building blocks while focusing on a distinct value domain. Placing the economic layer last reflects a purpose-first, profit-supported sequencing: SMEs are encouraged to first define environmental and social value propositions and identify digital enablers before evaluating financial viability and scalability. The study is grounded in practice-based research with Dutch F&B SMEs. Data were collected through seven semi-structured interviews conducted in March 2025 and an interactive online workshop with five SME representatives in April 2025. Participants represented diverse value chain roles, including food production, logistics, network orchestration, and technology provision. A hybrid qualitative analysis approach combined thematic coding with AI-supported structuring tools, with all interpretations validated by the research team. Findings reveal that F&B SMEs actively engage in sustainability and digitalization, yet frequently treat these as compliance obligations or internal efficiency measures rather than as customer-facing value propositions. The QBMC makes cross-dimensional interdependencies visible and actionable: digital traceability tools can simultaneously reduce waste (environmental), increase transparency and stakeholder trust (social), enable new product propositions (digital), and lower operational costs (economic). The empirical cases further demonstrate that digitalization, particularly automation, route optimization, and e-commerce, creates economic value while directly supporting environmental and social objectives when deliberately designed into the BM logic. The QBMC contributes to multi-dimensional BM theory by integrating the digital dimension into sustainability-oriented BM design, and by treating the four layers as mutually reinforcing rather than parallel. Practically, it provides SMEs with a structured design and reflection tool to align purpose, technology, planet, and profit, helping to prioritize TT initiatives that simultaneously advance multiple objectives while remaining financially feasible. Future research should test QBMC application across larger and more diverse samples, develop measurement guidance per layer, and examine quantitative performance outcomes following QBMC-guided BM interventions.

The transition towards sustainable food systems depends not only on technological innovation and regulatory reform, but also on public acceptance. However, support for sustainability may differ substantially across policy instruments, particularly when sustainable food choices imply higher consumer costs. This study examines how environmental food-purchase priorities, cost sensitivity and financial vulnerability are associated with public support for sustainable food policy in the European Union. Using individual-level data from Eurobarometer 93.2, the analysis focuses on EU27 respondents and compares three policy-related outcomes: support for stricter sustainability standards across the food chain, willingness to spend more for food that protects health and the planet, and support for compulsory sustainability information on food labels. Weighted descriptive statistics, bivariate chi-square tests and binary logistic regression models with socio-demographic controls, occupation controls and country fixed effects are employed. The results reveal a clear policy–cost gap. Public support is very high for compulsory sustainability information on food labels (91.5%) and stricter sustainability standards (86.7%), while willingness to spend more is lower (77.3%). Cost sensitivity is strongly associated with reduced willingness to pay: respondents who mention cost as an important food-purchase criterion are substantially less likely to be willing to spend more for sustainable food. In the logistic regression model, cost priority is associated with much lower odds of willingness to spend more (OR = 0.44, p < .001), while its association with support for stricter standards (OR = 0.91, p = .029) and compulsory labels (OR = 0.80, p < .001) is weaker. Financial vulnerability follows a similar pattern, with respondents who frequently have difficulty paying bills showing markedly lower willingness to pay. The findings suggest that European citizens do not necessarily reject sustainable food policy; rather, support weakens when sustainability is translated into direct private expenditure. This has important implications for Farm-to-Fork policy design. Regulatory and informational instruments appear to enjoy broad public legitimacy, but sustainable food transitions should not rely primarily on consumer willingness to pay. Policy packages need to combine sustainability standards and transparent labelling with affordability-sensitive measures that prevent the transition burden from falling disproportionately on financially vulnerable households.

Understanding the regulation of nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) allocation among plant organs is essential for maximizing the nutritional value of agricultural products while optimizing the management of crop residues in sustainable agroecosystems. Legume residues represent a significant source of organic matter, but their management determines whether nutrients are lost via leaching and emissions or retained in the circular food economy. Our study investigated the dynamics of N and C using stable isotope ratios in two soybean (Glycine max L.) varieties from different maturity groups (Merlin and Laulema). Plants were inoculated with distinct nitrogen-fixing Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacterial strains to evaluate their symbiotic efficiency under organic-compatible management practices. The total content and isotopic composition of N and C were analyzed across separate plant organs—roots, shoots, stems, pods, and seeds—at two critical phenological phases: full-flowering (R2) and full-maturity (R8). The results demonstrated excellent biochemical compatibility between the host varieties and the selected B. japonicum strains, producing up to 32 nodules per plant. From a physiological perspective, the isotopic N ratio values across all plant parts were significanlty modulated by both the specific variety and the bacterial strain, whereas isotopic C ratio variation was primarily governed by the plant genotype and remained less sensitive to the inoculation strategy. A substantial resource redistribution occurred during the reproductive phase. N content was highly concentrated within vegetative tissues (roots and shoots) at the R2 stage but fell drastically by twofold in roots and fivefold in the remaining aboveground vegetative biomass at the R8 stage. This rapid exhaustion of vegetative nitrogen reflects intensive remobilization directed entirely toward supporting seed formation and protein accumulation. From an agronomic and waste-reduction perspective, the high-efficiency strain AGF78 stood out as uniquely superior. It induced the highest nodulation frequency and secured significantly greater total N concentrations in the harvested seeds compared to other variants, including SEMIA5079 and the less effective RF10. Inoculation with AGF78 pushed the seed yield of the productive variety Merlin beyond 3 t ha⁻¹ and elevated the performance of the less productive Laulema to comparable high-yield thresholds. These findings offer critical insights into how targeted microbial inoculation can alter internal source-sink relations to achieve zero-waste agricultural goals. By employing the AGF78 strain, the plant effectively funnels the absolute majority of fixed N away from vegetative structures and locks it securely into human-consumable seeds. This targeted allocation pattern enhances the protein content and functional food value of the harvest; systematically depletes the residual post-harvest biomass (stems and empty pods) of excess labile nitrogen. Consequently, this reduces the risk of nitrogen mismanagement, such as agricultural waste runoff, volatile emissions, or groundwater leaching from decaying field residues, transforming crop management into a precise tool for clean food production and bio-resource efficiency.