Reconstructed Soils from Waste (Q4295676)
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Project Q4295676 in France, United Kingdom
| Language | Label | Description | Also known as |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Reconstructed Soils from Waste |
Project Q4295676 in France, United Kingdom |
Statements
1,758,001.5 Euro
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2,547,828.26 Euro
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69.0 percent
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28 January 2021
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30 June 2023
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University of Plymouth
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50°22'35.98"N, 4°8'20.29"W
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50°21'36.47"N, 4°44'40.99"W
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48°41'6.40"N, 3°59'11.51"W
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49°29'44.92"N, 0°7'43.14"E
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52°37'40.44"N, 1°14'21.84"E
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51°46'17.18"N, 0°56'14.10"W
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49°28'32.59"N, 1°5'34.58"E
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Food security and agricultural sustainability are two of the great global challenges of the 21st century. Soil is the largest carbon store on earth, yet industry is paying over to €3.5b p/a to dispose of waste soil from building sites across UK & France. The construction industry wants to find new ways to reuse waste soils safely, especially where it contributes to reduced carbon emissions and acts as a low carbon technology (BIS 2009 SITERRE 2017). By combining industrial expertise with research, RCSfW will develop and roll out 3 new reconstructed soils (Low Carbon Technologies), made from locally sourced construction waste and agricultural by-products. They will be analysed to ensure safety, rigorously tested under accredited laboratory conditions and enhanced to improve carbon absorption capability (T1& T2). They will be deployed in two pilot sites (1 UK, 1 FR) where they will be monitored over time and the results fed back to further improve recipes. The results will be incorporated into a Blueprint (T3), detailing ingredients and methodology for those wanting to reproduce or use reconstructed soils. 5 Reconstructed Soil low carbon technology multisectoral networks will be created in the programme area to ensure stakeholder engagement. They will form a future user group/supply chain to champion reconstructed soils during and after the project. A toolbox comprising of training and educational materials highlighting the role of reconstructed soils as a low carbon technology will be created and used to change public perception and industry behaviour towards soil management. The results of a life cycle assessment and cost-benefit analysis on reconstructed soils will be included. Soils are key to absorbing carbon from the atmosphere; with healthy soils being the most productive and successful (EC 2019 ). Despite this, soil is being degraded at an alarming rate leading to biodiversity loss, flooding and erosion (EC 2019). Conserving and repairing soil is a key goal for the EU and wider (AGRI/IC2016) but the approach to soil protection is patchy. RCSfW provides a new approach to how soils are valued by the public and within the construction sector, as a low carbon technology with a revenue stream as opposed to an inconvenient waste to be landfilled. All partners have complementary expertise; CLAIRE and BRGM have a vast network of industrial contacts and advise on current regulations. UoP, ULHN and UEA provide complementary research expertise on soils with access to specialist knowledge and equipment. CATE and EPL have expertise in plant physiology and public engagement. All undertake education, training and outreach. Using cross boarder partners expands knowledge, shares best practice and helps to mitigate any risks. Reconstructed soils are not currently used in agriculture. Once they are accepted as safe and effective; this will open major new market for this new innovative technology. (English)
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