Be wild and separate your bio-waste

My main resolution last year was to collect compost in my apartment by separating organic waste from the rest of the bin. Good intentions don’t last. Mine were killed overnight, once the waste collected turned into a smelly substance seasoned with worms and flies.  

And then I found out that anyhow, we’ll all soon be obliged to separate biowaste for collection.  

According to the EU waste framework directive, by 31 December 2023, all member states, citizens and businesses including large and small HORECA establishments will have to separate their biowaste for collection. But are we ready? 

What is bio-waste? 

According to the EU Waste Framework Directive’s definition, bio-waste comprises ‘biodegradable garden and park waste, food and kitchen waste from households, offices, restaurants, wholesale, canteens, caterers and retail premises and comparable waste from food-processing plants’. In short, it means food and garden waste.  

With a share of 34 %, bio-waste is the largest single component of municipal waste in the EU. Recycling bio-waste is key for meeting the EU target to recycle 65 % of municipal waste by 2035. The EU’s commitment to halve food waste by 2030 also echoes this objective1 

How to collect and valorise bio-waste? 

The level of separate bio-waste collection differs considerably across Europe. Some member states have ambitious national policies for bio-waste management, others are catching up. In addition, the environmental and economic benefits of different treatment methods for biowaste depend on local conditions such as population density, climate and infrastructure. 

From producing animal feed to biogas and electricity or soil fertilizer, there are numerous emerging solutions to transform bio-waste and target hospitality stakeholders in particular. HOTREC will partner this year with the International Food Waste Coalition showcasing innovative solutions to the valorisation of organic waste in hospitality. So, stay tuned! 

 

Calendar

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08 Sep
08/09/2023    
09:00 - 13:00
List of Participants Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, Greek Tourism Minister, will join us during the morning for an exchange (timing will be confirmed later) Draft Agenda [...]
Together for EU Tourism (T4T) stakeholder meeting
11/09/2023    
09:00 - 13:00
On 11 September 2023, the European Commission (DG GROW) will organise the first stakeholder event to support the co-implementation of the Transition Pathway for Tourism. This will be a hybrid event, taking place in Brussels and online.
Social Affairs Working Group meeting
12/09/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
On 12 September 2023, HOTREC will organise another meeting of its Social Affairs Working Group.
Members session on HOTREC European elections manifesto
14/09/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
On 14 September 2023, HOTREC will organise a members-only session to discuss the upcoming European Elections (June 2024). 
HOTREC Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee meeting
18/09/2023    
09:30 - 13:00
On the morning of 18 September 2023, HOTREC will organise another meeting of the Sectoral Social Dialogue (SSD) Committee. 
HOTREC Short-Term Rentals (STRs) Working Group meeting
21/09/2023    
10:00 - 11:30
On 21 September 2023, HOTREC will organise another meeting of its Short-Term Rentals Working Group.
Pact for Skills - Coordination meeting
21/09/2023    
15:00 - 16:30
On 21 September 2023 took place the 13th Coordination Meeting on the Pact for Skills - an initiative bringing together different skills national partnerships. The [...]
Social Dialogue reform - meeting with European Commission
27/09/2023    
09:30 - 12:00
Main outcome of the meeting available
Meeting MEP Engerer office - rapporteur Green Claims (ENVI)
28/09/2023    
10:00 - 11:00
Participants: - Sera Cutajar (assistant MEP Engerer (Malta/S&D - rapporteur ENVI committee / Green Claims file)) - S&D political advisor - Marta Machado Main outcome: [...]
Meeting MEP Weiss office - Green Claims
29/09/2023    
10:00 - 11:00
Outcome of the meeting available
Events on 08/09/2023
Events on 11/09/2023
Events on 12/09/2023
Events on 18/09/2023
Events on 29/09/2023