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RECOVERY OF BIODEGRADABLE WASTE AND BY-PRODUCTS
RECOVERY OF BIODEGRADABLE WASTE AND BY-PRODUCTS
Efficiency in nutrient recycling and biogas production
Central Finland speeds up the production and use of biogas
Text Tarja Sinervo
Circwaste project’s sub-project is driving a transition from the utilization of virgin nutrients to nutrient recycling in grain production. An open service called Biomass Atlas has also been developed in the project. Tanks for liquid fertilizers were installed in the tractor-seed drill units, and the fertilizer was fed hydraulically to the ploughshare. Thanks to several fertilizer containers, it was possible to dispense multiple nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, separately from each other according to the needs of the plant.
For years, Central Finland has been investing in the use of biowaste. The Circwaste project has strengthened the build-up of a biogas ecosystem and encouraged to use biogas in transport.
Digital application on biomass The project has also further developed a digital Biomass atlas application created by Luke. The map-based service illustrates biomasses that are nationally available, their volumes and location. This provides information on land use, forest resources, logging by-products, arable crop production and by-products, manure, and biodegradable waste and sludge from industry and municipalities. In the project, the application data has been further processed and combined with nutrient data. The Nutrient Calculator is a tool developed by Natural Resources Institute Finland and Finnish Environment Institute SYKE for the needs of regional nutrient planning. The information is helpful when decision-makers are considering zoning, or a company is looking for a raw material, planning to set up a production facility, or thinking about where to place the processing residue. The map can be used to calculate the amount of biomass in a specific area on the map, or to view the restrictions on use and to model the effects of use on sustainable development. Part of the biomass is suitable as raw material for cosmetics, fiber, feed or nutrient preparations.
Text Tarja Sinervo The waste stream project in Central Finland has studied the biogas ecosystem composed of biodegradable waste and by–products processed in the region’s biogas plants, their recycling as well as the promotion of biogas production and use. – We have worked in our area for a long time on processing biodegradable waste and biogas, and the project has made it possible to further develop the topic. We are working to increase the production of biogas and its use in transport, says Development Manager Outi Pakarinen from the Regional Council of Central Finland. – Our study on the state of waste management in the region showed that a lot of biodegradable waste can, in fact, be found among mixed waste. Although we have had an obligation to collect biodegradable waste for twenty years already,
Separation of liquid slurry doubles the yield Natural Resources Institute Finland has tested the separation method for pig slurry, i.e. settling, which separates the dregs at the bottom containing phosphorus and dry solid matter from the nitrogen-containing liquid on the top. This method can improve the energy production in a biogas plant, as the dregs at the bottom have a high phosphorus content and energy density compared to unseparated sludge. Therefore, it clearly has more methane-production potential than unseparated liquid slurry. According to Natural Resources Institute Finland’s calculations, a plant that processes the bottom sludge could produce 67% more methane and up to 99% more net energy. Settling means also significant benefits in the fertilization of phosphorus-rich fields. The phosphorus limitation for environmental subsidy limits the amount of nitrogen that is applied with manure. The more soluble nitrogen and potassium we are able to spread and apply on fields, the less fertilizers se need. Natural Resources Institute Finland has estimated that a farm can save up to € 9,560 per year in the cost of fertilizer for 600 hectares of barley fields if the phosphorus fertility class of the fields is “good”. The separation method can be commercialized if interested entrepreneurs come forward and seize the opportunity.
Experts: Juha-Matti Katajajuuri, Liisa Pesonen, Eeva Lehtonen and Ville Pyykkönen from LUKE.
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in some places mixed waste contained almost 30 percent biodegradable waste. Collecting and processing it would mean that a lot of biogas could be used in transport. The most important way to increase the bio–circular economy has been to develop cooperation and communication. – People need information that motivates them to sort waste carefully. In communication, co–operation with waste plants and municipalities is important. We have also carried out various studies and launched a network to involve all actors in the region’s production and supply chain in the ecosystem.
More use of biogas in transport The use of biogas in transport has been increased, for example by encouraging municipalities to switch to biogas–driv-
RECOVERY OF BIODEGRADABLE WASTE AND BY-PRODUCTS
Reducing food waste benefits everyone Food waste is a costly issue for the society and everyone in the food system chain, from farmers to consumers. The Natural Resources Institute (Luke) investigated the causes and solutions for food waste, and the work will result in the first food waste roadmap for Finland, rather unique even on a European level. Text Tarja Sinervo
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he Natural Resources Institute (Luke) has started a pilot project, which will outline the first roadmap for food waste reduction in Southwest Finland. In addition, a nationwide roadmap for food waste will be prepared during the autumn. A wide range of actors in the food system chain were brought together in three workshops in Southwest Finland. Representatives of primary production, the food industry, retail chains, waste management, meal services, food aid operators, the City of Turku and develop-
ment companies were present. – In the first workshop, we mapped the problems causing food waste in the region. Sector–specific challenges included distribution channels for primary production, incorrect labeling, waste, food date labels, and unpredictable consumer behavior. There was a need for more information, as well as information on store locations, a data bank on food waste, packaging sensors and a number of other issues, says Juha–Matti Katajajuuri, specialist researcher at the Natural Resources Institute.
