LIFE BIOBEST capacity-building workshop – “Unlocking Efficiency: Strategies for building a high-performing municipal bio-waste system’’

Workshop partners

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  ENT Foundation


ENT Foundation

ENT Foundation (ENT) is a research centre based in Barcelona and dedicated to the elaboration, analysis, and implementation of public environmental policies. ENT’s team is comprised of around 25 highly specialised consultants.

ENT primarily partners with public administrations and non-profit organisations, while also working with for-profit initiatives that share their values. Much of the organisation’s current work is in Europe, through local, regional, national and EU-wide projects. Innovation is at the heart of ENT’s mission, and they have a diverse range of research and development projects. Results are disseminated in peer-reviewed scientific publications and at scientific conferences.

ENT has an extensive experience in the development of projects of consultancy, research and cooperation for development, which are carried out individually as well as integrated in consortia.

Website: ent.cat

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  ACR+


ACR+

The Association of Cities and Regions for sustainable Resource management (ACR+) is an international network of cities and regions sharing the aim of promoting a sustainable resource management and accelerating the transition towards a circular economy on their territories and beyond. Circular economy calling for cooperation between all actors, ACR+ is open to other key players in the field of material resource management such as NGOS, academic institutions, consultancy or private organisations. The network currently counts over 100 members, mainly local and regional authorities as well as national networks of local authorities representing around 1100 decentralized public authorities.

Through its activities, ACR+ strives to develop the expertise and skills of public authorities in effective waste-product-resource policies, as well as encourage practical action. The association provides support to regional and local authorities in their new challenges and promotes cooperation and partnership to develop eco-efficient solutions. The key activities include facilitating the exchange of experiences between members, sharing technical and policy information, mainly through technical reports and weekly newsletters. The technical and policy information shared by ACR+ secretariat is focused on 5 thematic areas: i) built environment, ii) sustainable food systems, iii) circular lifestyles, iv) policy and governance, and v) waste and material flows.

Website: www.acrplus.org

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  Consorzio Italiano Compostatori


Consorzio Italiano Compostatori

The Italian Compost and Biogas Consortium (CIC) is a non-profit association gathering 144 members including composting and anaerobic digestion facilities. CIC’s activities include the assessment of the quality of organic waste collected in Italy (around 850 composition analysis per year from more than 550 Italian municipalities). With these analyses, CIC obtains information about impurities present in the bio-waste and learns about collection challenges.

Since 2003 CIC has managed a voluntary scheme awarding the compost from bio-waste that fulfils the quality requirements of the National Fertilisers Regulation to improve its marketability and traceability. Currently 33% of the compost produced in Italy holds CIC’s quality label. To complement these initiatives, since 2006, CIC manages a certification scheme for biodegradable and compostable items according to EN 13432, aiming to provide the consumer and the bio-waste sector with a clear label identifying this type of materials.

Considering its background and the good performance of Italy in terms of bio-waste capture rate (125 kg/inhabitant/year) and quality compost produced (2.1 Mt/yr), CIC is involved in many activities EU-wide showcasing how the bio-waste value chain can return organic carbon to the soil while generating energy carriers and green jobs.

Website: www.compost.it

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  European Compost Network (ECN)


European Compost Network (ECN)

The European Compost Network (ECN) is a membership organisation with 66 members from 27 European Countries, promoting sustainable recycling practices in composting, anaerobic digestion and other biological treatment processes of organic resources.

It work with practitioners, researchers, technicians and policy makers to deliver integrated organic waste recycling solutions that generate high quality products for the benefit of the environment and the users of the recycled products. ECN supports the policy objectives of the European Union through its activities and with its network of knowledgeable experts. ECN directly assists Member States in developing waste management plans and policies that drive them away from large scale landfilling and into the recycling of organic resources. ECN also serves as a focal point for developing EU quality standards for bio-waste treatment and compost production; it is a network for the organic waste recycling sector in Europe, as well as the emerging bio-based economy.

Website: www.compostnetwork.info

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  Zero Waste Europe


Zero Waste Europe

Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) is a dynamic network of 35 local and national communities, organisations, dedicated leaders, experts, and change agents from across Europe. Our collective mission is to collaborate towards the sustainable preservation of resources, the prevention, and elimination of waste in our society.

We actively drive the transition towards a zero waste Europe by interconnecting and integrating three core pillars. Firstly, we establish enabling conditions through comprehensive measures such as policy development, regulatory frameworks, and financial incentives. Secondly, we implement on-the-ground zero waste solutions by mobilising cities, businesses, and investments, exemplified by initiatives like our Zero Waste Cities program. Thirdly, we focus on movement-building and facilitation by mobilising and collaborating with diverse groups both within and outside our organisation. We forge alliances and coalitions to amplify our message and advance our shared goals. Currently, we host the coordination of the Break Free From Plastic movement in Europe, including the Rethink Plastic alliance, and the Food Contact Materials coalition.

As the European branch of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), ZWE operates as both a knowledge network and an advocacy group, working towards the transition to zero waste.

Website: www.zerowasteeurope.eu

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  Rezero


Rezero

Rezero – Waste Prevention and Responsible Consumption Foundation – is a Catalan non-profit and independent organization. We want to change the current production and consumption model towards a Zero Waste Strategy, by networking with social, political and economic agents. We promote responsible consumption and waste prevention actions through the development of transformative strategic campaigns, plans and policies and research studies at local, regional and European level.

Website: www.rezero.cat