Good in theory
With world and urban populations on the rise, existing agri-food systems increasingly struggle to feed them. Circularity, whereby waste is reduced as much as possible while keeping a product's value intact (circulating) for longer, could be part of the solution. The principles of sustainable agri-food systems are known, but with so many different parties and technologies involved, can they be put into practice? In this project, the process of designing and implementing a circular system for the re-use of food waste was applied in four case studies in Amsterdam.
Mapping the flow
First, a map was made of the flow of food surpluses, waste and by products, through re-use and upcycling, back into the agri-food system. The technologies and organizations involved in each step was then added. Armed with this information, a review of the scientific literature, and interviews with professionals from these organizations, an overall set of Circularity by Design Principles was produced. Four real-life case studies were then chosen to put the principles into practice: worm composting in the home; nutrient recovery in a sanitation plant; elephant manure as a soil improver for urban agriculture; building circularity into urban planning processes.
A Circularity by Design Toolbox
While additional research is either ongoing or still needed, the case studies provided valuable insights into their practical feasibility and potential to be part of urban circular food systems. The combination of Circularity by Design Principles and lessons learned from the four case studies has provided a range of tools to support more real-world experiments and circularity policy making.