In Europe, a city dweller generates about 505 kg of waste on average. About half of this is organic waste that can be converted into products that can be reused again locally in the city*. This includes kitchen waste from households, but also waste from restaurants, parks and gardens. The Leuven Resource Hub aims to group partners in an urban ecosystem where food surpluses and other waste streams are upgraded to resources instead of simply being destroyed. From the sustainable collection of waste to the packaging-free marketing of products, the Resource Hub is taking big steps towards a circular Leuven.
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Who takes part?
Who are all the partners in the project?
Role of Leuven 2030?
In this breakthrough project we assume the following role(s):
Place in the Roadmap?
This breakthrough project is part of the following programmes of the Roadmap:
How does it work?
We're working towards a blueprint for (mid-sized) cities to develop an operational and business model consisting of impact entrepreneurs who work with local resources through sustainable urban logistics. The operation of the Leuven Resource Hub will be built around 4 pillars:
- Carbon-free collection of food surpluses and separated waste streams in the city to bring them to a central hub.
- Establishment of a central hub where residual streams are made available to local parties as resources. We also want to provide R&D and product development support.
- Marketing and distribution of processed products in the form of return logistics.
- Creation of a central meeting and experience destination in Leuven for citizens and entrepreneurs around the themes of food and circularity.
To achieve this, we will assemble a consortium of partners after exploratory talks. Together with Dutch parties the municipality of Oss, de Kracht van New Business Oss and HAS Hogeschool, we're currently working on an Interreg application that should provide the necessary support.At the same time, we're looking for a suitable location for the hub and we are already building a network of interested entrepreneurs.
Mapping and survey of stakeholders, market survey
Development of internal and external support
Assembly of consortium and Interreg application
Search for location, further development ofentrepreneurs' network
Mapping and survey of stakeholders, market survey
Development of internal and external support
Assembly of consortium and Interreg application
Search for location, further development ofentrepreneurs' network
Why is this project important?
If you look at the complete picture of Leuven's emissions (and thus include the so-called scope 3 emissions), you will see that next to buildings and mobility, food accounts for the largest part. At the same time, annual food loss in Belgium is estimated at 3.6 million tonnes, or 345 kg per person per year**. Other figures show that a city dweller in Europe is responsible for about 505 kg of urban waste on average, half of which is organic waste*. If we can (re)use these food surpluses and waste streams more effectively, we can significantly reduce Leuven's emissions. And that is the Resource Hub's aim.
*Municipal waste statistics, Eurostat
**Kansendossier Circulaire Economie België, Rijksdienst Voor Ondernemend Nederland
The path of the past couple of months
