A2C Residues Management Plan (Final)

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 101036838. D1.4 – A2C Residues Management Plan (Final) 30 Sep 2024 Authors: Salvador Navarro Navarro (GWC), Mª Carmen Cánovas Ortega (GWC), Sofía Martínez López (CTNC) Ref. Ares(2025)6385271 - 05/08/2025 A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 2 І37 Technical references Project Acronym Agro2Circular Project Title TERRITORIAL CIRCULAR SYSTEMIC SOLUTION FOR THE UPCYCLING OF RESIDUES FROM THE AGRIFOOD SECTOR Project Coordinator Fuensanta Monzó CETEC [email protected] Project Duration October 2021 – September 2024 (36 months) Deliverable No. D1.4 Dissemination level* PU Work Package WP 1 – A2C Specifications, Residues Management and Data Integrations System Task T1.4 – A2C residues management and preliminary characterisation Lead beneficiary 2 (GWC) Contributing beneficiary/ies 13 (CTNC), 14 (MCT), 15 (ALM), 16 (PROEX), 18 (CITRO), 33 (ECO) Due date of deliverable 30 Sep 2024 Actual submission date 30 Sep 2024 * PU = Public PP = Restricted to other programme participants (including the Commission Services) RE = Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including the Commission Services) CO = Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including the Commission Services) A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 3 І37 Document history V Date Comments v0.1 30/09/2024 First draft of document v0.2 30/09/2024 Revised version based on the comments of Ronny Salcedo (Eversia) and Pedro Pablo Diez (Solplast) v1.0 30/09/2024 First final version, approved by the WP leader and the project coordinator, (will be) submitted to EC. V2.0 04/08/2025 Second final version, approved by the WP leader and the project coordinator. Document Distribution Log Version Date Distributed to v0.1 30/09/2024 Ronny Salcedo (Eversia) and Pedro Pablo Diez (Solplast) v1.0 30/09/2024 Coordinator and WP Leader Verification and approval Name Date Verification Final Draft by WP leader Jaime Ortiz-CETEC 30/09/2024 Approval Final Deliverable by coordinator Fuensanta Monzó-CETEC 30/09/2024 A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 4 І37 Disclaimer and acknowledgement This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101036838 Disclaimer This document reflects only the views of the author(s) the European Research Executive Agency (REA) is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. Whilst efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this document, the A2C consortium shall not be liable for any errors or omissions, however caused. A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 5 І37 INDEX Table of illustrations .......................................................................... 7 List of abbreviations .......................................................................... 8 1 Introduction .................................................................................. 9 2 Deliverable Body ........................................................................ 11 2.1 Management of multilayer aseptic packaging. ............................................... 11 2.1.1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE WASTE ............................................................. 11 2.1.2 ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN MANAGEMENT ............................................... 11 2.1.2.1 INITIAL STORAGE and Good Practice Guidelines ............................... 12 2.1.2.2 COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT and Good Practice Guidelines ....... 15 2.1.2.3 FINAL STORAGE AT THE TREATMENT SITE and Good Practice Guidelines 17 2.2 Management of agricultural plastic mulching. .................................................. 19 3.2.5.1 INITIAL STORAGE and Good Practice Guidelines ..................................... 20 3.2.5.2 COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT and Good Practice Guidelines ............. 22 3.2.5.3 FINAL STORAGE AT THE TREATMENT SITE and Good Practice Guidelines ................................................................................................................................ 23 2.3 Management of organic agri-food waste. ........................................................ 25 2.3.1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE WASTE ............................................................. 25 2.3.2 ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN MANAGEMENT ............................................... 26 2.3.2.1 INITIAL STORAGE and Good Practice Guidelines ............................... 27 2.3.2.2 COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT and Good Practice Guidelines ....... 29 2.3.2.3 FINAL STORAGE AT THE TREATMENT SITE and Good Practice Guidelines 32 3 Conclusions ............................................................................... 35 5. ANNEXES ................................................................................... 36 5.1 Annex A. Waste Identification Document ............................................................ 36 A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 6 І37 ....................................................................................................................................... 36 A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 7 І37 Table of illustrations Figure 1. Waste definition. Multilayer Aseptic Bag ............................................................. 11 Figure 2. Management of Multilayer aseptic bag waste. Flowchart ................................... 11 Figure 3. Bag in box as it is used in the agrifood industry .................................................. 12 Figure 4 Waste definition. Agricultural mulch ..................................................................... 19 Figure 5. Management of Agricultural Mulch Waste. Flowchart ......................................... 20 Figure 6. Black and Natural Mulch Bales ........................................................................... 21 Figure 7. Management of organic agri-food waste. Flowchart. .......................................... 26 Figure 8. Broccoli waste reception ..................................................................................... 32 Figure 9. Lemon waste dried in climatic chamber .............................................................. 33 Figure 10. Page1/2 Waste Identification Document ........................................................... 36 Figure 11. Page 2/2 Waste Identification Document .......................................................... 37 A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 8 І37 List of abbreviations A2C - Agro2Circular LER - European Waste List DI - Waste Identification Document A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 9 І37 1 Introduction This deliverable (D1.4) is part of the A2C Project (Advanced Approaches for Circularity), which aims to promote circular economy strategies and improve waste management processes in the food and agricultural sectors. The general objective of A2C is to develop integrated, sustainable solutions for the handling, treatment, and valorization of various types of waste—particularly those originating from food packaging, agricultural plastics, and organic matter. D1.4 is produced within the framework of Work Package 1: Waste Characterization and Management Practices, and more specifically, it is the result of Task T1.4: A2C residues management and preliminary characterisation. It connects directly with related deliverables focused on waste traceability, treatment technologies, and circular economy models, contributing practical guidance to complement technical and regulatory analyses delivered in other WPs. The nature of this document is mainly applied and procedural. It does not aim to provide a state-of-the-art scientific review, nor does it generate new experimental knowledge. Instead, it compiles and adapts existing good practices for the practical implementation of waste management systems in real-world contexts—particularly for multilayer aseptic packaging, agricultural padding, and organic waste. It defines operational steps, hygiene requirements, traceability procedures, and legal considerations for managing these waste streams efficiently and safely. The target audience includes waste management companies, food industry operators, agricultural cooperatives, public authorities, environmental regulators, and logistics providers involved in the collection, transport, and treatment of waste. The document is also relevant to organizations developing or implementing sustainability and circular economy policies. Regarding its limitations, D1.4 focuses exclusively on waste types classified under specific LER codes, and it does not address treatment technologies in detail, nor does it cover the A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 16 І37 • Unloading Personnel (Manager): GREEN WORLD COMPOUNDING SL. B. GOOD PRACTICES FOR COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT • Coordination Establish a collection plan coordinated with production cycles to avoid waste accumulation. Notify the transport company in advance about the quantity and type of waste to be collected. • Transport Conditions Use authorized vehicles exclusively for waste transport to prevent cross-contamination. Ensure that vehicles are clean, disinfected, and properly sealed to protect the waste from external agents. All authorized vehicles must comply with and maintain a record of regular cleaning. Waste should be transported in closed and correctly labelled containers. It is also advisable to load the oldest waste batches first to prevent potential degradation or bacterial proliferation due to the presence of organic matter. This could hinder processability or affect the final quality of the recovered product. • Documentation Accompany the transport with the appropriate documentation, including the Waste Identification Document and records of the vehicle's cleaning status. The format for the Waste Identification Document is included in the technological platform of the A2C project. The minimum information that must be included in the Waste Identification Document is as follows according to the attached model in Annex A: ✓ Type of Waste: Hazardous; Non-hazardous ✓ LER Code ✓ Document Number ✓ Business Name of the Transport Operator ✓ Business Name of the Origin Center ✓ Business Name of the Destination A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 17 І37 ✓ Transporter Details: Name, license plate number, contact information, and registration number in the transporter registry. ✓ Collection and Receipt Date ✓ In case of rejection, specify the date and reason. ✓ Date and signature of the destination entity as acceptance of the waste. ✓ Waste treatment details. 2.1.2.3 FINAL STORAGE AT THE TREATMENT SITE and Good Practice Guidelines Once collected, the waste is taken to an authorized treatment site where it will be stored before processing or recycling. This location must comply with all safety standards and maintain the waste under optimal conditions, avoiding exposure to external elements that could affect its quality. INSTALLATION AREAS: • Unloading Area • Weighing and Reception Control Area • Waste Storage Area EQUIPMENT: • Unloading and Internal Transport Equipment • Scale PERSONNEL: • The personnel assigned to this facility are from the waste manager, in this case, GREEN WORLD COMPOUNDING SL. C. GOOD PRACTICES FOR FINAL STORAGE AT THE TREATMENT SITE • Location o Store waste in a specifically designated and clearly marked area to avoid mixing with other types of waste. o Keep waste in a dry, well-ventilated location, away from heat sources or direct sunlight. A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 18 І37 • Storage Conditions o The material should be kept in its original packaging, whenever possible, until treatment. o Periodic checks of storage conditions are necessary to ensure that the waste does not degrade or become contaminated before treatment. • Identification and Traceability o All waste must be clearly identified with a batch label. o Adhere to the implemented traceability system that allows tracking the waste from generation to final treatment. This will include a weighing and reception control activity recorded in the A2C Platform. o Keep track of the locations of each batch using a map or location system. Logistics should follow an order that facilitates easy access to the oldest batches, ensuring these lots are the first to be removed and sent to the managing entity, thus avoiding unnecessary accumulations and optimizing the material's outflow. • Hygiene Conditions o Conduct visual inspections of the material to ensure that proper hygiene conditions are maintained. Check for the presence of unwanted contaminants. o Containers and storage areas should be cleaned and disinfected regularly to prevent the accumulation of organic waste or contaminants. A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 19 І37 2.2 Management of agricultural plastic mulching. The management of agricultural mulch waste is a critical aspect of sustainable practices in the primary sector. These materials, often derived from agricultural activities, are classified as non-hazardous waste due to their composition and origin. Proper handling and management of this waste are essential to minimize environmental impact and enhance resource recovery. This section details the procedures for managing agricultural mulch, including initial storage, collection, transportation, and final treatment. By following best practices, such as ensuring appropriate storage conditions and maintaining accurate documentation, agricultural producers can effectively manage their waste while complying with environmental regulations. The guidelines provided here focus on maintaining the integrity of the waste material throughout its lifecycle, ensuring that it is stored in optimal conditions, transported safely, and processed efficiently. The goal is to facilitate the recovery of valuable organic substances and contribute to a circular economy in the agricultural sector. 2.2.1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE WASTE Agricultural mulch waste comes from the activities of the primary sector. They are not classified as hazardous waste due to their composition and origin; therefore, they should be managed as non-hazardous waste. Figure 4 Waste definition. Agricultural mulch 2.2.2 ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN MANAGEMENT A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 20 І37 The procedure is summarized in the following flowchart: Figure 5. Management of Agricultural Mulch Waste. Flowchart V*: Valorization R12*: Pre-conditioning prior to valorization. R3*: Recovery of organic substances not used as solvents. (demonstrator 9) 3.2.5.1 INITIAL STORAGE and Good Practice Guidelines Initial conditioning and storage must be carried out at the facilities of the waste-generating company (generated by PROEX). In this case, since it is not a waste whose valorization treatment aims to obtain products for the food industry, the procedure is simpler. A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 21 І37 Figure 6. Black and Natural Mulch Bales A Guide to Good Practices for Initial Storage • Location A specific area should be designated for the storage of these wastes for easy identification. • Environmental Conditions Maintain the storage area at a moderate temperature to avoid material degradation due to extreme temperatures. • Material Conditioning The waste must be pre-conditioned before storage. It should be compacted into bales with stable weights per bundle to facilitate later handling. • Identification Since the waste producer is only responsible for storage and not handling, it is not necessary to identify the batches at this stage. Identification will be the responsibility of the waste manager upon receipt. A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 22 І37 3.2.5.2 COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT and Good Practice Guidelines The collection and transportation of waste must be coordinated with production cycles to avoid excessive accumulation and potential material degradation. This activity should be carried out using authorized vehicles, ensuring that the waste is not manipulated or contaminated during transport. Additionally, the transport must be accompanied by a Waste Identification Document (DI), which specifies key details such as the type of waste, producer, transporter, and responsible manager. B. Good Practices for Collection and Transport • Coordination Establish a collection plan that aligns with production cycles to avoid waste accumulation and potential storage issues. The time limit is 6 months. Notify the transport company in advance, indicating the quantity and type of waste to be collected for proper logistical planning. • Transport Conditions Use authorized vehicles exclusively for the transportation of waste to avoid crosscontamination. Ensure that vehicles are clean, disinfected, and properly sealed to protect the waste from external agents. All authorized vehicles must comply and maintain a record of periodic cleaning. Waste should be transported in the form of bales. • Documentation Accompany the transport with the appropriate documentation, including the waste identification document and records of the vehicle's cleanliness status. The format for the Waste Identification Document is registered on the A2C Platform. The minimum information that must appear on the Waste Identification Document is as follows according to the attached model in Annex A: A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 23 І37 ✓ Type of waste: Hazardous; Non-hazardous ✓ LER Code ✓ Document number ✓ Company name of the transporter ✓ Company name of the origin center ✓ Company name of the destination ✓ Transporter details: Name, license plate, contact, and registration number in the transporters' registry ✓ Collection and reception date ✓ In case of rejection, specify the date and reason ✓ Date and signature of the destination entity as acceptance of the waste ✓ Waste treatment 3.2.5.3 FINAL STORAGE AT THE TREATMENT SITE and Good Practice Guidelines Once collected, the waste is taken to an authorized treatment point where it will be stored before processing or recycling. This location must meet all safety standards and maintain the waste in optimal conditions, avoiding exposure to external elements that could affect its quality. C. Good Practices for Final Storage at the Treatment Point • Location Store the waste in a specifically designated and clearly marked area to avoid mixing with other types of waste. • Storage Conditions The material should be kept in its original packaging whenever possible until treatment. Periodic checks of storage conditions are necessary to ensure that the waste does not degrade or become contaminated before treatment. • Identification and Traceability o All waste must be clearly identified with a batch label. A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 24 І37 o Adhere to the implemented traceability system that allows tracking the waste from generation to final treatment. This will involve a weighing and reception control activity that will be recorded in the A2C Platform. o It is necessary to keep track of the locations of each batch using a map or a location system. The logistics should follow an order that facilitates easy access to the oldest batches, ensuring that these lots are the first to be removed and sent to the managing entity, thus avoiding unnecessary accumulation and optimizing the material's outflow. A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 25 І37 2.3 Management of organic agri-food waste. 2.3.1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE WASTE The organic agri-food waste selected in the Agro2Circular project were citrus, artichoke, broccoli, cauliflower, grape and apple residues. These residues were selected on the basis of their composition (for having a high concentration of phenolic compounds of interest or fibre content) and for being predominant crops in the region of Murcia and other regions of Europe, which guarantees an adequate supply and a correct replication of the results to other regions. The following table describes the waste that has been worked with. Information is included on the specific parts or structures that make up the waste (skins, leaves, pulp, etc.), the volume of waste generated per year in the Region of Murcia and the time at which it is generated. Crop Waste Amount (tonnes/year) Collection Apple Pips, skins, cores and wasted raw material 1,200 From October to December Broccoli Stems and whole pieces of unsuitable raw material 41,400 All the year, but especially during autumn, winter and spring Cauliflower Leaves and stems 3,200 Especially in winter Citrus fruit (lemon) Peel and pulp 200,000 All the year Artichoke Bracts and stems 4,400 Especially from December to May Grape Stems and pieces of unsuitable raw material 24,275 From late summer to early winter A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 32 І37 2.3.2.3 FINAL STORAGE AT THE TREATMENT SITE and Good Practice Guidelines Once collected, the waste is taken to the CTNC for treatment. Once the material has been received, it is identified and labelled at the reception control. It is then weighed, a representative sample is taken for characterization (T1.4.3) and stored refrigerated for a short period of time. The waste must be conditioned and processed as soon as possible to ensure that it is in optimal condition and does not lose quality. INSTALLATION AREAS: • Reception Control • Unloading Area • Cold storage room for waste storage EQUIPMENT: • Unloading and Internal Transport Equipment • Scale PERSONNEL: The personnel assigned to this facility are from the waste manager, in this case, CTNC or DMC Figure 8. Broccoli waste reception A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 33 І37 c. GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE FOR FINAL STORAGE AT THE TREATMENT SITE - Reception of wastes Once the waste arrives at the CTNC or DMC facilities, it will go through reception control, where it will be identified and labelled for storage control. It will also be weighed and transported using wheeled containers, pallet trucks or forklifts to the area designated for storage (cold storage) and/or processing. - Storage time It is important that waste is stored for a short period of time, since due to its highwater content, it is highly putrescent and highly biodegradable and can undergo rapid fermentation processes, even under refrigeration conditions. Therefore, waste must be processed in the shortest possible time. In case this is not possible, or even to avoid deterioration even if rapid processing is foreseen, it is advisable to carry out the necessary pretreatments to facilitate its storage under optimal hygienic and safety conditions. These pretreatments can also favor the following steps in the extraction process of compounds of interest. The pretreatments carried out are drying (especially when processing is not going to be immediate, as it allows to extend the storage time without loss of quality), decanting (especially in cases where the waste has high humidity and water leaks occur during storage at source and transport), grinding, crushing (both physical pretreatments allow the waste to be homogenized and favor the subsequent extraction stage), among others. - Storage conditions The storage conditions (cooling temperature, humidity, etc.) should be checked regularly to ensure that the waste is not degraded or contaminated before treatment (especially by microbiological growth). In addition, proper hygienic conditions should Figure 9. Lemon waste dried in climatic chamber A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 34 І37 be maintained. Containers and storage areas should be regularly cleaned and disinfected. - Identification and traceability All waste must be clearly identified with a batch label. Adhere to the traceability system in place that allows waste to be tracked from generation to final treatment. This will include a weighing and reception control activity recorded in the A2C Platform. A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 35 І37 3 Conclusions In the case of multilayer aseptic packaging, the need to maintain optimal hygiene and control conditions is emphasized, given that this waste can be valorized for applications in the food industry. For agricultural mulch waste, although the process is simpler, proper planning and monitoring are also stressed to maximize its recovery and quality, which is reflected in the final product. Both processes heavily rely on traceability and documentation systems, such as the A2C platform, to ensure that the flow of materials from generation to treatment is controlled and efficient, guaranteeing perfect product traceability. Ultimately, these practices not only minimize environmental impact but also contribute to a circular economy through the recovery and valorization of these wastes. The management of agri-food organic waste, due to its composition (high water content), must be carried out efficiently in short periods of time and taking care at all times of the storage and transport conditions to avoid contamination or deterioration. Good logistical coordination and an adequate identification and traceability system are key elements to successfully carry out this process. Special attention must be paid to critical points in the process such as the proper separation and classification of waste in the generating companies (artichoke, broccoli, citrus fruits, etc.), or temperature control to avoid decomposition. Finally, correct hygienic conditions must be guaranteed, since the final recovery treatment is intended for use in the food industry. A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 36 І37 5. ANNEXES 5.1 Annex A. Waste Identification Document Figure 10. Page1/2 Waste Identification Document A2C – Deliverable D1.4v1.0 Page 37 І37 Figure 11. Page 2/2 Waste Identification Document