ROOTS is a joint initiative formed by five Horizon 2020 projects—HOOP, VALUEWASTE, SCALIBUR, WaysTUP! and CITYLOOPS—created to address the major barriers preventing the large-scale deployment of circular bioeconomy solutions in Europe. These projects pilot innovative technologies that transform urban bio-waste and wastewater into valuable products such as fertilisers, bioplastics, bioethanol, proteins, biopesticides and animal feed. Although the circular economy holds significant potential to reduce emissions and environmental impact, progress is slowed by challenges including technological readiness, financial constraints, inconsistent bio-waste quality and quantity, and regulatory hurdles. The European Green Deal provides an opportunity to resolve many of these issues by modernising legislation and supporting innovation.
Through their combined experience, the ROOTS partners have identified bottlenecks across key areas such as bio-waste prevention, recycling targets, treatment capacity, regulatory frameworks for by-products, the use of insects and single-cell proteins, citizen behaviour, and investment needs.
The initiative’s open letter offers targeted policy recommendations for all levels of governance and highlights practical solutions, good practices and real-world case studies from project partners, ultimately supporting the wider adoption of a sustainable and truly circular European bioeconomy.
Publication year: 2023
Language: EN
Published by: HOOP, VALUEWASTE, SCALIBUR, WaysTUP, CityLoops
Keywords: ROOTS initiative, circular bioeconomy, bio-waste valorisation, regulatory barriers, innovative technologies, policy recommendations, urban bio-waste, European Green Deal, investment needs
