COCOON workshop at World Resources Forum (26-2-19, Antwerp)

In the framework of the prestiguous World Resources Forum 2019 (Antwerp), the Interreg Europe COCOON project team is hosting the workshop “Landfill management: from landfill to useful resource” on February 26, 2019. The workshop, which will build upon the results obtained during the 2nd ELFM Seminar in the European Parliament, is open to all interested parties. (Leuven, 23/1/2019)

World Resources Forum 2019

The World Resources Forum 2019 ‘Closing Loops – Transitions at work’ is hosted by the Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM), the principal authority in the Flanders Region of Belgium for sustainable management of waste, materials and soils. From 24 to 27 February 2019, the World Resources Forum* and OVAM will present inspiring keynotes and global sessions, challenging workshops and fascinating site visits in close collaboration with dozens of partners and stakeholders. All with one common goal: showing how to close the loop and make the transition towards a circular economy work.

COCOON workshop on Landfill Management

One of the WRF workshops is organised by the Interreg Europe COCOON project, one of the three core EU-projects of the European Enhanced Landfill Mining Consortium (EURELCO). COCOON stands for the Consortium for a Coherent European Landfill Management Strategy. The title of the COCOON WRF workshop is “Landfill management: from landfill to useful resource”. It will be held in Antwerp on February 26, 2019 (11.30-13h).

This workshop will present the first results on the analysis of the landfill management in the six COCOON regions, accompanied by examples from Flanders and the Netherlands. The workshop will also focus on the EU Landfill Directive and the key discussions that took place at the 2nd ELFM Seminar in the European Parliament (November 20, 2018 – See Policy Brief 2nd ELFM Seminar in the European Parliament: 5 Lessons Learned – Why we need to develop a broad Dynamic Landfill Management strategy and vision for Europe’s 500,000 landfills).

Snapshot of NEW-MINE Policy BriefAt this ELFM Seminar in the European Parliament it was agreed there is an urgent need for a comprehensive definition of the concept Dynamic Landfill Management (DLM), which should capture various dimensions. First of all, DLM refers to the dynamic view on landfill management, i.e. the management of any given landfill needs to smartly change and adjust over time. Secondly, DLM needs to offer an integrated framework, satisfying multiple objectives, ranging from pollution prevention, land reclamation and restoration, creation of new landfill void space, interim use of the landfill surface, to the recovery of materials and energy resources. Thirdly, a DLM definition needs to highlight the need for a cross-cutting approach with respect to distinct European policies and legislations. The task to develop a broadly-supported definition for DLM was given to the Interreg Europe COCOON team, who will discuss this item during the WRF workshop.

Speakers at this workshop include Annick Vastiau (Cleantech Flanders), Peter Tom Jones (KU Leuven), Michaël Van Raemdonck & Eddy Wille (OVAM), Fons van de Sande (RWS) and Ulrich Kral (TU Wien).

Want to join this workshop?

Interested to be part of this story? Do you want to discuss about the possibilities of historical landfills and the steps we need to take in the future? Join us at our workshop (Tuesday 26 February 2019, 11.30-13.00h, Flanders Meeting & Convention Center, Antwerp). Find out more about the WRF and the workshop programme here.

 Logo COCOON

* World Resources Forum (WRF) is the Swiss-based independent non-profit international organisation that serves as a platform connecting and fostering knowledge exchange on resources management amongst business leaders, policy-makers, NGOs, scientists and the public. WRF organises high-level international conferences and capacity-building workshops, disseminates relevant research findings and scientific discussions, works on setting standards for sustainable resource use, improving global governance on raw materials, and implements programmes on sustainable recycling and sustainable design and retail trade worldwide.