Grass clippings from roadsides and lawns are today processed through composting. This is a cost to society borne by local authorities, and therefore taxpayers.
In this project, Releaf aims to demonstrate the development of an innovative circular model where grass clippings are processed into fibres that we can blend into potting soil, replacing peat. In this way, we also save on peat, a non-renewable resource.
In each step of this circular chain, we work together with partners. The City of Ghent and ILvA provide us with clippings that we process into fibres thanks to an innovative technology. Next, those fibres go to Agaris, a Flemish company (with production site in Ghent) and one of the most prominent players on the European potting soil market. Finally, the City of Ghent demonstrates the potting soils in flower boxes in the city centre. At these planters there is also information to inform passers-by about the issue and our research.
Our goal is to eventually set up a sustainable and future-proof processing process for grass clippings.
Releaf (voormalig Herbalis)
Partners Agaris Belgium NV, ILvA, Stad Gent
Sectors
In the future, we aim to further improve the current process of processing grass clippings.
Besides grass clippings, we are also looking at other green waste streams and their potential as peat substitutes in potting soil. Indeed, this project has given us a lot of knowledge about the needs within the potting soil industry and the development of a suitable fibre.
Visit www.releaf.be for more information!