All Environment Publications

European iron and steel foundries produce 9 million tonnes of sand waste per year. 25% of this sand is recycled in concrete production, but chemical residues limit its use. Alternatively, composting can reduce these chemical residues. This study gives practical guidance for foundry sand composting.

Reintroduction of carnivores can be challenging for farmers. This study provides insight into the opportunities and barriers of tailoring communication between conservationists and farmers when considering conservation interventions in the UK and the EU, using the case study of the European wildcat.

This study evaluates indicators of sustainability for alternative farming systems, such as energy, carbon, water management, business resilience, system diversity, social capital and soil management. It identifies assessment tools and policy leverage.

Making European agriculture more sustainable means carefully managing the negative environmental impacts of manure and fertiliser. This paper investigates the cost/benefits of nutrient recovery from these waste products and how the recovery of nutrients from manure can be managed via policy.   

Biosphere Reserves help people connect with nature, but the benefits are not always accessible for people with disabilities. This study reviews accessibility measures in 167 biosphere reserves, finding 58% to consider accessibility with at least one measure, and highlights potential ways to improve.

This paper explores a plastics sustainability challenge, suggests novel solutions and opportunities to capture value in business transition. It considers biodegradable plastics, an orthopaedics library for product re-use, a plastics ‘value map’ for market regulation and manufacturing efficiency.

Several obstacles prevent the uptake of circular economy practices within EU photovoltaic solar panel production, including reliance on Chinese imports and economic obstacles to recycling components. This study offers a practical decision-making tool to evaluate and address these challenges.

Aquaculture, or fish farming, faces significant environmental challenges that could be addressed by adopting circular economy practices and principles. This Italian study investigates the opportunities, knowledge gaps and perceptions of circular economy policies amongst producers.

Plastic seed trays used to grow seedlings in plant nurseries are a harmful agrifood waste product. This study trialled new seed trays that align with circular economy principles. These alternatives had less environmental impact than traditional trays.