In this pilot, a circular systemic solution for nutrient recovery will be developed, making an efficient use of natural renewable resources, developing cascade uses and returning biowaste and biomass to nature.

Urban rural predominance

Intermediate

‘Championing the transition towards bio-based fertilisers’

The creation of a regional nutrient recovery platform is geared towards guiding the Castilla y León region in its transition towards a new era of producing and using sustainable, circular and bio-based nutrient-biofertiliser. The pilot aims to decrease dependence on fossil-based fertilisers, especially critical raw materials like phosphorous, which come with associated import risks.

Additionally, this solution is poised to tap into the potential of local bio-by-products from various sectors, including urban, food and agro-forestry. By doing so, it encourages environmentally responsible agricultural practices, ultimately enhancing soil health and reducing the need for chemical fertilisers.

Objectives

The circular systemic solution aims to:

• support the transition towards a sustainable, circular and bio-based nutrient-biofertiliser region in Castilla y León;
• reduce the dependency on mineral fertilisers and critical raw materials;
• promote sustainable valorisation of local bio-by-products from different sectors (i.e. urban, food, agro-forestry);
• encourage more sustainable and responsible agricultural practices, resulting in improved soil health (by reducing the use of chemical fertilisers).

Systemic nature

The circular solution proposed by Castilla y León is inherently systemic, addressing multiple sectors such as agriculture, the food and forest industries, and other sources of biowaste. It involves a diverse range of stakeholders, including public and private organisations such as Fundación Patrimonio Natural de Castilla y León, several departments of the regional government, farmers, the agro-industry, sewage sludge managers, biogas producers, fertiliser producers, urban waste managers and the biomass sector.

The solution is also multi-dimensional. Not only does it introduce new circular business models but it also fosters the development of innovative governance models. The solution’s expected impacts are broad, contributing to sustainability across environmental, social and economic pillars. By reducing fossil fuel consumption, lowering CO2 emissions and decreasing dependence on raw materials, the solution creates value for local stakeholders and creates new jobs in a rural area. Consequently, the solution is expected to contribute to making the region more attractive.

Expected impact

• Reduction of landfill biowaste volume due to valorisation.
• Improvement of organic matter in soil.
• Reduction of the import of fertilisers (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) by utilising alternative sources of biofertilisers like phosphorus from wastewater, nitrogen from cattle, and acids from bioenergy plants. This approach leverages multiple feedstocks for a more integrated and efficient solution.
• Recovery of nutrients from waste waters, manure and biowaste.
• Use of biomass ashes as nutrient.
• Increased production of high-quality compost.
• Minimised percentage of undesirable waste in collected organic waste containers.
• Reduction of the cost associated with the treatment of household organic waste.
• Development of biomethane regional production.
• Development of cascade uses of biowaste and nutrients.
• Creation of several biorefineries.

Link to existing circular economy strategy and/or action plan

Circular Economy Strategy of Castilla y León

Leading organisation(s)

• Regional Government of Castilla y León
• Ministry for Environment, Housing and Land Planning

Unit/department/section

Fundación Patrimonio Natural de Castilla y León

Participation in other relevant initiatives

• Hubs for circularity
• Regional Innovation Valleys
• European Union Mission of Adaptation to Climate Change

(Other) Key Resources

• Regional Economic Metabolism
• Circular Economy Regional Ecosystem
• Identification and valorisation of by-products and secondary materials derived from the bio-industry in the territory of Castilla y León