Promoting the valorisation of material from pruning vineyards.
About this good practice
Alentejo region, including Baixo Alentejo, has a long tradition in vine and olive grove cultivation. The waste from these cultures comes from pruning activity and it is estimated that, in the Alentejo, there are 205,000 tonnes/year that have no use.
The project was established in 2015 aiming to valorise this agricultural residues. Besides not having any use it, these wastes have negative effects on the environment and on the culture itself and cause increased costs in its removal and burning to the farmer.
It started developing its activity in the valorisation of dried olive pit, for use in central heating equipment in public and private buildings.
In 2017 a new project was lanched, the GreenEdge ECO PELETES, aiming at the valorisation waste from pruning vineyards and olive groves. The construction of the new industrial unit occurred in parallel with the implementation of an organised waste collection network at the pruning sites (vineyards and olive groves). This network acts as a vehicle for obtaining raw material without costs for the farms owners and at the same time also serves as an aid to the progressive reduction of the spreading and burning of prunings by the farmers.
The inclusion of technologically advanced equipment studied/selected in a careful way enables to transform what is now waste without beneficial use, into a product with added value, which can be exported, creating wealth and employment in one of Portugal´s most desertified region.
Resources needed
For the new project - GreenEdge ECO PELETES - it was supported by COMPETE 2020 under the Incentive Scheme for Productive Innovation, involving an eligible Investment of 2 million Euros which resulted in an Incentive of 1.5 million Euros.
Evidence of success
GreenEdge promotes the creation of a new business model. Also, a significant number of hectares and farmers benefits from this service since several costs are avoided in wath reagards the removal or burning of the pruning waste since this model promoted a new destination and the valorization of the pruning wastes (fuels for cooking or others). Also, this project resulted in the creation of 20 jobs.
Potential for learning or transfer
This project, being a pioneer, can be a reference and starting point for a innovation-based, high value-added, Foreign Market-oriented sector of the economy that solves an environmental and economic problem for winegrowers and olive growers.
The project can be replicated in other regions with a high volume of pruning waste.
The innovative model adopted by the company, based on the creation of a waste collection directly in the olive groves and vineyards highligh the support of public policies. Also makes available to the community a service of high economic and environmental value.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
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