SMART GROUND
Finland, Hungary, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom
Partners
Enco, MAMK, GTK, Metsasairila, University of Pecs, Bay Zoltan, MKM Consulting, Unito, Imageo, ATOS, Cranfield University, Regione Piemonte, Bioazul, VTT
Contact
Marco de la Feld
Enco
Via Michelangelo Schipa 115
3500 Hasselt
E: m.delafeld@enco-consulting.it
T: +39 081 761 172 7
Visit: www.smart-ground.eu
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Raw Materials are becoming more important for the European economy but their availability is under pressure. In the EU there are between 150k and 500k highly variable landfills, thus the EU Secondary Raw Materials (SRM) potential is significant. Existing knowledge, reporting standards and inventory seemed to be inefficient. Rational waste management practices could lead to a more efficient use of raw materials and to waste reduction.
SMART GROUND will address the issues of waste management and resource recovery, reducing EU dependence on raw materials while contributing to secure its sustainable supplies, in accordance with the Strategic Implementation Plan of the EIP. In particular the following impacts will be achieved: Better-informed decision making at EU and National level; Improved availability of key Raw Materials, while creating added value to the economy and more jobs, thus facilitating the use of the most advanced, economically effective and innovative technologies in the whole value chain, in order to spread the EU circular economy.
PROJECT GOALS
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To collect quantitative and structural knowledge from existing SRM resources and to identify critical points and bottlenecks that hinder the effective use of SRM from landfills and dumps.
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To take stock of existing standards for Raw Materials and waste inventory and develop new ones for SRM, with the aim of validating them on selected pilot sites.
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To integrate and harmonize the data and information collected by gathering them in a single EU database.
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To identify the most promising markets for the SRM.
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To evaluate and to analyse the environmental, economic and social impacts triggered by different processes.
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To analyse the existing legislation at EU and national level on waste management and diffusion of best practices.
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To facilitate the access to information on available SRM for end-users.
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To raise awareness among policy makers and public opinion to support the social recognisability of the positive impact of dumps exploitation to obtain SRM.
