The transition to a circular economy has highlighted the importance of managing and valorizing biowaste, which until recently went unnoticed in many sustainable development strategies. A growing number of voices in Europe and internationally argue that biowaste represents not only a challenge but also a crucial opportunity to drive a truly dynamic and resilient circular bioeconomy . But what are the key factors that make biowaste a pillar of the circular bioeconomy? And why are European institutions, regional governments, and sectoral bodies calling for greater attention to its strategic role?
Today, the proper management of biodegradable waste , more commonly known as biowaste, is one of the most important pending tasks for moving towards low-carbon, regenerative economic models based on closed resource cycles. Valorizing this waste allows for the production of renewable energy, the improvement of agricultural soils, and a reduction in dependence on external inputs, while also fostering local employment and promoting regional self-sufficiency. Despite this potential, biowaste remains underutilized in much of Europe and Spain, and its inclusion as a key component of circular bioeconomy strategies marks a turning point in environmental governance.
The strategic value of biowaste in the circular economy
Leading organizations such as the European Composting Network (ECN), the European Biogas Association (EBA), and Municipal Waste Europe (MWE) have highlighted that for years, biowaste has not received the strategic recognition it deserves within European bioeconomy policies. A clear example is the absence of explicit references to biowaste in the 2018 European Union Bioeconomy Strategy , which limited investment in infrastructure for its collection and treatment, hindering the use of this resource as a basis for organic fertilizers, biogas, and other circular products.
Recently, these organizations have strongly advocated for the upcoming review of the European strategy to include a specific section on municipal and commercial biowaste , recognizing its potential to reduce dependence on mineral fertilizers , advance energy sovereignty, and enhance the resilience of European soils and agriculture . Furthermore, the valorization of this waste creates local employment and stimulates the business sector linked to waste management and the bioindustry.
Untapped Potential: Obstacles and Opportunities
Despite the consensus on its importance, technical, economic, and regulatory barriers still hinder the full utilization of biowaste. The lack of regulatory harmonization, the costs of adapting treatment plants, double administrative procedures, and the difficulties in mobilizing investments specifically geared toward the local bioeconomy are some of the challenges identified by experts.
However, the paradigm shift is already underway . Since 2024, separate collection of biowaste has been mandatory throughout the European Union , paving the way for a process of industrial and social modernization. The promotion of composting projects, anaerobic digestion plants, and the standardization of biofertilizers derived from the organic fraction can, if implemented effectively, accelerate the leap forward in waste management and its integration into an advanced circular economy.
Strategic lines to take advantage of bio-waste
The joint document from ECN, EBA and MWE proposes four major strategic lines to unlock the potential of biowaste in Europe, which are perfectly adaptable to the Spanish and regional context :
1. Strengthen collection and treatment aimed at recovery
Without efficient separate collection, biowaste ends up wasted or generating negative environmental impacts . They recommend establishing targets that involve local authorities, implementing economic incentives such as pay-as-you-throw systems, and ensuring access to financing to adapt or build new infrastructure. It is also essential to collect and analyze high-quality data on the production, treatment, and socioeconomic impact of biowaste to continuously improve systems and justify future investments.
2. Create a robust market for circular organic fertilizers
Compost and digestate, when properly treated and certified , can replace mineral fertilizers with high environmental and economic impacts, while regenerating soil organic matter and contributing to carbon sequestration. To achieve this , it is crucial to harmonize European end-of-waste criteria, review the requirements of the EU Fertilizer Products Regulation, adapt regulations on animal by-products, and set specific nutrient recycling targets. Only in this way can the use of these products in agriculture and gardening be promoted without regulatory friction.
3. Promote the production and use of biogas and biomethane
The anaerobic digestion of biowaste yields biogas, which can be refined into biomethane and injected into natural gas networks as a renewable energy source. For Europe to achieve the ambitious REPowerEU targets and significantly increase biogas production, it will be necessary to establish binding targets for the sector, simplify administrative procedures, and facilitate cross-border trade in biomethane through unified certification systems. Furthermore, utilizing the generated biogenic COâ‚‚ and valorizing the digestate as a biofertilizer complete the circular economy cycle.
4. Mobilize public and private financial resources
According to key stakeholders in the sector, current European and national funds are not yet fully adapted to the real needs of local circular bioeconomy projects. Therefore, they advocate for the creation of specific funding lines, the reactivation of bioeconomy investment platforms, easier access to cohesion, innovation, and sustainability funds, and the promotion of networks for exchanging best practices between regions. The goal is to enable both large-scale infrastructure projects and small, innovative initiatives to mature and scale their impact.
Regional examples: the Galician model and the Catalan digestate strategy
In some Spanish territories such as Galicia and Catalonia, the management of bio-waste and its integration into the circular economy is already being realized through pioneering initiatives.
Galicia: a network of infrastructures for the recovery of organic matter
Galicia has spearheaded a true revolution in the management of the organic fraction of municipal waste in recent years . The waste management agency Sogama has established a network of biowaste treatment plants, most notably the one in Cerceda, along with other new facilities located in Lugo, Pontevedra, and Ourense. Furthermore, they have adapted 13 transfer stations, equipping them with specific hoppers to channel the organic matter collected separately through the fifth brown bin . This ensures that organic waste is transported correctly to composting plants, maximizing its value as high-quality compost suitable for agriculture and gardening.
At the same time, Galicia has focused on promoting home composting , distributing more than 17.000 composters free of charge to residents and promoting awareness and training campaigns in both urban and rural areas. Compliance with legal obligations is an important driver, but so is the growing environmental awareness of the population, which, despite the pandemic, continues to increase its contribution to recycling in all its forms.
Catalonia: Revaluation of digestate and agricultural biogas
In Catalonia, the Catalan Digest Strategy was recently presented , a key element for the decarbonization of the agri-food sector and the sustainable development of biogas. This strategy is part of a broader roadmap for the Catalan bioeconomy and the deployment of biogas up to 2030.
Digestate, traditionally considered a secondary waste product generated during biogas production , is being revalued as a key bioproduct for agricultural fertilization and innovation in nutrient management. The Catalan strategy focuses on a set of treatment technologies that allow the separation of the solid and liquid fractions of digestate, yielding high-quality biofertilizers adapted to the agronomic requirements and water challenges of specific areas.
Key challenges identified include the need for a clear regulatory framework , administrative simplification, reduced technology investment costs, and the promotion of applied research to improve process efficiency. The strategy also emphasizes the importance of co-digestion of different waste streams and the efficient application of byproducts in agriculture, while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
Direct benefits and positive impacts of biowaste recovery
The large-scale utilization of bio-waste generates a chain of positive repercussions in environmental, economic and social terms :
- Reducing Europe's dependence on mineral fertilizers imported and energy-intensive, reducing the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector.
- Improving soil health and biodiversity, increasing its fertility and water retention capacity, and therefore its resilience to droughts and extreme events.
- Generation of renewable energy through biogas and biomethane, moving towards energy self-sufficiency and supporting decarbonization commitments.
- Growth of local employment in activities related to waste collection, treatment and recovery, as well as in the agricultural and bioindustrial sectors.
All of this represents a strategic opportunity to increase the autonomy of the European economy, strengthen food and energy sovereignty, and contribute to the fight against climate change, while also integrating waste management into regional economic development.
The role of innovation, training and citizen awareness
The success of a circular bioeconomy based on biowaste depends as much on the application of new technologies as on social commitment. From perfecting processes to obtain high-quality biofertilizers and biogas, through intelligent data collection and analysis systems, to training workers and raising public awareness about proper waste segregation, there is enormous room for progress.
Experiences like that of Galicia show that without the involvement of families and municipalities, the required quality for the final compost cannot be achieved . Information campaigns and the distribution of home composters, combined with clear and demanding regulations, have enabled local councils to fulfill their obligations and have made circular waste management a shared objective for the entire community.
Challenges and future prospects
Regulatory, funding, and market challenges persist , requiring collaboration between government, the private sector, and citizens. Adapting funding sources to local realities, eliminating bureaucratic obstacles, and fostering cooperation among European regions to share knowledge and innovation are crucial. Similarly, establishing robust markets for bio-waste products is essential to ensure their absorption and competitiveness compared to conventional alternatives.
The introduction of binding targets, the development of common quality criteria, the integration of bio-waste solutions into agricultural and climate policies such as the CAP eco-schemes, and the firm commitment to R&D&I make up the roadmap that will allow the consolidation of the circular bioeconomy around the valorization of organic waste.
In the current context, biowaste has ceased to be a problem and has become a resource for the future, capable of generating wealth, reducing vulnerabilities, and building more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient societies. Cooperation between institutions, businesses, local councils, and citizens is key to ensuring that all this potential translates into real and measurable changes in our environment.