The European Composting Network (ECN) recently concluded its annual meeting on June 22nd in Brussels, alongside task group meetings dedicated to separate collection and soil & organic matter. The events took place in the office of European Environmental Bureau and at the Renewable Energy House and was attended by 21 participants.
Following a long period of dedicated involvement, Tomasz Wojciechowski (GWDA, PL) and Domantas Tracevičius (NGO Ziedine ekonomika, LT) have decided to step down from their positions. The ECN extends its heartfelt appreciation for their valuable contributions. On a positive note, Horst Müller representing the Austrian Compost & Biogas Association (KBVÖ, AT) was unanimously voted to continue serving for another three-year term. Moreover, the ECN is pleased to welcome Tony Breton form the Composting & Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland (Cré, IE) as its newest board member.
Currently, the ECN is represented by a total of eight board members from national biowaste organisations: Kristel Vandenbroek (Chair of ECN, Vlaco, BE), Massimo Centemero (Vice-Chair of ECN, CIC, IT), Irmgard Leifert (Treasurer of ECN, BGK, DE) Jens Måge (Avfall Norge, NO),), Arjen Brinkmann (BVOR, NL), , Horst Müller (KBVÖ, AT), Susana Lopes (Lipor, PT), and Tony Breton (Cré, IE).
Research study on the impact on soil health presented from Australia, Spain and Italy
The Task Group Meeting on Soil & Organic matter was opened with a key speech by Susanne Schmidt from the University of Queensland in Australia presenting a precision compost strategy aligning composts and application methods. In addition, the attendees had the opportunity to hear from two external speakers, Simone Bergonzoli and Juan Jose Ríos from Italy and Spain, who presented their joint "Study of soil treatment effect on sunflower: influence on nectar composition and plant physiology." The study findings demonstrate the significant influence of soil quality on both nectar production and characteristics, highlighting compost as an effective means to enhance the latter. This underscores the importance of maintaining soil quality for overall plant health.
Best Practices on separate collection of biowaste
Furthermore, the task group meeting on separate collection was enriched by a productive and engaging discussion. Numerous members actively shared best practices implemented in their respective countries and municipalities. Additionally, the meeting featured a detailed discussion on the Life BioBest project, which offers valuable insights for promoting the widespread adoption of effective biowaste recycling practices throughout Europe. Follow-up meetings on the exchange of best practices on separate collection and setting up guidance on the production of high quality compost and digestate will follow over the next two years.
Please join ECN’s Task Groups
As network on biowaste management, ECN welcomes the active involvement in its task groups as this will guarantee that different experiences, challenges and success stories will be reflected in ECN’s policy work. Members, who are interest to join ECN’s task group, please get in touch with ECN’s Task Group team by sending an email to tg@compostnetwork.info.
