The Circular Economy Analysis Centre and composting plant at MATE
About this good practice
The Circular Economy Analysis Centre of MATE addresses Hungary’s high levels of agricultural and green waste by implementing CE practices. With around 30 million tonnes of agricultural and 1.5 million tonnes of kitchen/green waste generated annually in Hungary, MATE has set to goal to transform waste into valuable resources through composting, biofuels, and renewable energy applications. Objectives include reducing waste, supporting sustainable agriculture, and providing renewable energy, which all contribute to local environmental improvements within the framework of the project (Oct 2021-Nov 2023).
The project’s key solutions include:
⦁ the on-site treatment and utilization of all bio-waste (crop, horticultural by-products, green waste from park maintenance, organic fertilisers, kitchen waste) generated on campus in decentralized, community composting facilities
⦁ hands-on experience in sustainable waste management
⦁ R&D on innovative practices for bio-waste conversion with a specific focus on advanced bio-waste management technologies that are of strategic importance for soil resource management (aerobic treatment, anaerobic digestion, bio-hydrogen production, hydrothermal carbonization, plasma technology)
⦁ supporting farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices (bio-waste compost instead of chemical fertilizers).
The key stakeholders include students, researchers, the Hungarian agricultural sector, the government and policymakers, the local community and the energy sector.
Expert opinion
Resources needed
€2.3 million EU funding and €370 thousand subsidy (KEHOP-3.2.1-15-2021-00037) for:
• decentralised composting facilities – €1.1 million
• community composting facilities (including bins) – €270 thousand
• personnel cost - project implementation, scientific research – €1.3 million
Evidence of success
50 tons of bio-waste from dormitories, 60 tons from a horticultural training farm, 200 tons green waste from parks, and 1800 tons of organic manure from livestock farms are collected.
R&D: 8 small publications have been released, and 3 community composting units installed for waste management, education and research.
Demonstration: 110 university students in waste management, 50-60 international delegates have visited, and there are ongoing discussions with local schools for class visits.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice offers a model that effectively integrates waste management with educational and community initiatives, making it a versatile and scalable approach for other regions facing similar agricultural and environmental challenges. By demonstrating how to turn bio-waste into valuable resources like compost and renewable energy, the project addresses waste reduction and local energy needs.
Public authorities can gain valuable insights into how localized composting and waste-to-energy systems reduce dependency on landfill disposal and enhance sustainable agricultural practices, which in turn reduces environmental impact. Moreover, this project’s integration with educational programs fosters community involvement and boosts public awareness of CE principles, showing policymakers how education can drive societal shifts toward sustainability.
For public policy, it underscores the importance of public investment in innovation and education to achieve sustainable regional development.
