SDG 2 - Zero Hunger - 1. Campus Food - Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences
SDG 2 - Zero hunger
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger - 1. CAMPUS FOOD WASTE
Last modified: 09. November 2024
1. CAMPUS FOOD WASTE
We at MATE are committed to managing food and biological waste in the most environmentally friendly way possible and finding various ways of utilizing all kinds of waste and agricultural byproducts. Therefore, we have realized various projects both in research and practical applications to achieve these objectives. Among others we collect and recycle used cooking oil in our canteens and separate waste on our campuses.
Our university takes responsibility for sustainable development: it participates in the preparation and implementation of recommendations and strategies for the development of agriculture and food production at the societal level, in cooperation with ministries and public authorities. In this context, MATE has played a leading role in the development of the Digital Agricultural Strategy and the Digital Food Strategy: https://cdn.kormany.hu/uploads/document/8/84/84d/84ddc0b48dca12b97b1c911f11dbe96920b30a5c.pdf, and has participated in its implementation in collaboration with several universities and organisations: https://cibushungaricus.hu/. In this way, it has effectively contributed to more sustainable food production and waste reduction at societal level.
In the next part we are introducing our projects we are working on managing food and biological waste.
A new waste management system at MATE
In spring 2022, a new waste management system was implemented at MATE Szent István Campus. In the new system, implemented with the support of the KEHOP-3.2.1-15-2021-00037 project entitled "Preparatory tasks for the transition to a circular economy for agricultural and green waste", biodegradable waste has been collected separately on the Campus from autumn 2023, and then treated and used on the Campus. This decentralised system is a world first, and MATE is continuing the high quality of work that has helped it to maintain its international ranking among agricultural universities. It also serves as a demonstration site for good practice in the circular economy for biological waste and by-products. https://korforgas.uni-mate.hu/kehop-3.2.1-15-2021-000371 (in Hungarian) (We can also find a composting guide on the site.)
About the project “Preparatory tasks for the transition to a circular economy for agricultural and green waste”
The European Parliament's Circular Economy Action Plan, adopted in 2018, mandated separate bio-waste collection by the end of 2023, aiming to keep resources like food, waste, and water in the economic cycle. In line with this, the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences, through project KEHOP-3.2.1-15-2021-00037, was advancing Hungary’s shift toward a circular economy, focusing on agricultural and green waste reduction at the Szent István Campus.
The project seeked to foster agricultural innovation in Hungary, supporting the development of a circular, biomass-based agricultural model. A central feature is the Centre for Circular Economy Analysis and Knowledge, a multidisciplinary hub for circular economy research across campuses. Key initiatives include strategies to reduce food waste, development of advanced bio-waste management techniques like aerobic treatment for soil health, and renewable energy sources such as anaerobic digestion. Emerging technologies like bio-hydrogen production and hydrothermal carbonization are also in focus.
Additionally, the project will contribute to updating Hungary’s legislative framework for sustainable practices and demonstrate biodegradable waste management on campus. Composting initiatives involve students in community composting training and practices, with kitchen and farm waste processed through pilot composters. The finished compost improves campus soil management, aiming to close the bio-waste loop with quality assurance measures in place for the end product.
Centre for Circular Economy Analysis and Knowledge
The Centre for Circular Economy Analysis and Knowledge, established by the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences (MATE), is an internationally unique centre for the assessment and local recovery of all biodegradable waste generated on the Gödöllő campus, and for the sharing of the latest knowledge on circular economy. The main objective of the circular economy is to minimise waste and to preserve and maintain the value of products, materials and resources used in the economy for as long as possible, in line with the European Green Deal and its Action Plan. The new MATE Knowledge Centre contributes to achieving this more effectively at home.
