- Ecoson Recycling (part of Darling Ingredients) has created an efficient registration and collection system to collect and source organic waste, which facilitates both the routing and administrative process from its companies site, as well as the handling and information flow for (potential) customers. With the knowledge Ecoson Recycling has from other companies in the group, and the support of the work done in the Waste2Func consortium (from the workshops, see below), they have developed both a web portal and an application. New clients can use these tools to easily register and find their way to the company. Existing clients can use this tool to request a collection of their waste, track previous collections and find the administrative documentation they need for their bookkeeping. The web application is ready to use and also implements all necessary administrative work required for waste collection. It can be found via the direct link
https://melden-acc.ecoson.be(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) or on the main webpage of Ecoson.be by clicking on “My Ecoson”. The application is, at this moment, available in 4 different languages, being English, Dutch, French and German. Before being able to login, the customer should have a customer number, received from an Ecoson commercial contact. This means it is not possible to login and start ordering waste pickups without prior screening or contact with the commercial team at Ecoson.
-The flemish Farmers cooperative (Boerenbond) organised several events, workshops and one-on-one meetings with farmers to get as much input as possible from the primary sector.
Deliverables on their work can be found on the website (
https://www.waste2func.eu/en/publications/(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) - Deliverable 7.1-7.5).
- BBEPP and NNFCC organised workshops and meetings with stakeholders to get more insight on what was needed from feedstock owner and technology owner perspective.
Deliverables on their work can be found on the website (https://www.waste2func.eu/en/publications/ - Deliverable 7.7-7.12).
- Building of DEMO process lines for DEMO production of waste-based Lactic Acid and microbial biosurfacts finalised in Gent and Antwerp, Belgium.
- Considering the processes: (1) Pre-treatment methods for several waste- and side streams optimized and are scaled up; (2) Optimisation and demonstration of 2G Lactic Acid production; (3) Optimisation and demonstration of 2G Microbial Biosurfactants production
- Successful application testing and formulation testing leading to the following prototypes: (1) Prototype development for the application of the above-mentioned produced 2G Lactic Acid and 2G Microbial Biosurfactants from the optimised and demonstrated processes: Two prototypes were officially launched by Ecover in the “Too good to waste” campaign (
2(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) Polylactic Acid (PLA) prototype development ready; (3) Microbial BSs personal care prototype development ready (hand soap)
- In depth study of all regulatory requirements to facilitate in bringing the WASTE2FUNC innovations to the market
- Life Cycle Analysis study finished and confirmed the anticipated minimal 20% reduction of CO2 emissions compared to 1G State-Of-The-Art processes/products for 1G Lactic Acid and Microbial Biosurfactants
- Business models and Investment Teasers were finalised and all of the above has led to the kick off of two follow-up CBE-JU projects, kicked off in 2024: SURFs UP and CIRCLE
-Substantial private and public investments were succesfully obtained by both technology owners.
- Appealing, out-of-the-box and informative WASTE2FUNC project video launched with the goal to reach the general public and to also explain the bioeconomy narrative to the general public. This video was translated in several European Languages (Dutch, French, German, Spanish and Italian) and all versions with and without subtitles can be found back on the BBEPP youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL00RyxLNivXv_wrMt7ptHwoFcVXITMyFU(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) These video’s can freely be used by anyone to communicate in schools for example.
- Organisation of the WASTE2FUNC final event, with policy recommendations and final conclusions: see website.
