On 17 October 2017, in the framework of DECISIVE project’s 3rd General Assembly,  its host the Technical University of Hamburg, organised a conference and panel discussion “Closing the loop: Challenges for the future food waste valorisation”.

Given the objectives of the DECISIVE project which focuses on decentralised schemes for bio-waste management, this event gathered speakers on this topic combining academia, industry and SMEs. Discussions tackled food waste as a bio resource, its potential, collection and recycling, as well as monitoring through inventories. Representatives of industry presented their experience in coupled sanitation systems as well as a circular urban farming experiment. To close the morning session, a roundtable adressed the crucial question: closing the loop – how we can succeed?

The event was followed by a study visit to the Lübeck- Flintenbreite eco-village. In 2000, the first inhabitants moved into the settlement; today around 250 persons live in Lübeck- Flintenbreite. The settlement is supplied with water saving toilets. The wastewater from bathrooms and kitchens is treated on-site. A small-scale biogas facility is available too, which could be used for local energy production from toilet residues and food waste. Improved methods of food waste collection as biogas feedstock are investigated within the DECISIVE project.

More details, the agenda and the registration form can be found on this page.