Bioremediation has real potential for the circular economy. It could help address environmental pollution while promoting resource recovery and sustainability.

The process utilises living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi and plants, to break down or neutralise environmental pollutants and thus help restore contaminated sites, including soil, water and air, to their original or improved condition. The process can reduce the negative impact of pollution, conserve ecosystems and enhance biodiversity - all of which are crucial components of the circular economy.

Another benefit of bioremediation is that it promotes more circular use of resources. For instance, the micro-organisms used in the process facilitate the recovery of reusable valuable resources from many environmental pollutants such as industrial waste or wastewater. This approach also minimises waste generation, reduces the need for resource extraction and encourages circularity.

On 12 September, the ECESP Leadership Group on Bioeconomy will bring together an expert panel to discuss ways to clean up the environment using this nature-based solution and achieve zero-pollution. Participants will learn how to reduce microplastics and pharmaceutics contamination in the soils and water.
Our experts will present innovative bioremediation solutions and how to implement them sustainably.

We want to hear your opinion! Play an active part before and during the event by submitting and sharing your views and solutions to fight broadly spread pollutants. Use the registration form below to ask questions and share your concerns with our experts.

Programme

Moderator: Agnieszka Sznyk

10.00 – 10.15 Introduction to bioremediation
Problem/Solution
Agnieszka Sznyk, INNOWO
Giulio Zanaroli, Associate Professor, University of Bologna (presentation)

10.15 – 10.35 Bioremediation policy context by the EU Commission
Dr. Silvia Maltagliati, Policy Officer, Circular Economy and Bio-Based Systems, DG RTD (presentation)
Cillian Lohan, European Economic and Social Committee

10.35 – 11.05 Bioremediation techniques
Bacterial remediation, mycoremediation, phytoremediation, electro-bioremediation

• Biomodeling microbiome solutions, Prof. Marco Candela (PhD), Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Italy
• Vermiremediation, Marcus Horn, Professor for Soil Microbiology, Leibniz University of Hannover (presentation)
• Electrobioremediation, Sebastià Puig, Assoc. Prof., Universitat de Girona (presentation)
• The inherent capacity of surrounding macrophytes and their hidden allies for phytoremediation, Blanca Velasco Arroyo, University of Burgos (presentation)
• Bioremediation of Polluted Freshwater: A Symbiotic Relationship between Freshwater Mussels and Macrophytes on a Floating Platform, Dr. Tiziana Centofanti, ALCHEMIA NOVA, Austria (presentation)

11.05 – 11.35 Panel discussion 

• Giulio Zanaroli, UNIBO, NYMPHE Coordinator 
• Dr. Thomas Reichenauer, MIBIREM Scientific Coordinator
• Dr. Leire Ruiz Rubio, SYMBIOREM coordinator
• Lila Otero, BIOSYSMO coordinator

11.35 – 11.45 Q&A