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 bio–waste 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!