Biologically based. Denotes products that, in part or in whole, contain constituents derived from biomass, that is, from non-fossil biological substances. In Europe, a “biobased product” is a product wholly or partially derived from biomass (EN 16575 Biobased Products-Vocabulary). A biobased product is normally characterized by biobased carbon content or biobased content. For the determination and declaration of bio-based content and bio-based carbon content, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), under a mandate from the European Commission (M/492 Mandate given to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI for the development of harmonized European standards and other standardization tools for bio-based products http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/mandates/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.detail&id=477#), has prepared standards on the subject.

Any chemical compound that is part of the composition of a living organism or derived from substances in living organisms.

Ability of an organic substance to transform into simpler substances through the activity of microorganisms (biodegradation). If the biodegradation process is complete, the organic matter is converted entirely into simple molecules: water, carbon dioxide, methane and new biomass.

A plant that recovers energy from the organic fraction of household and industrial waste by a biomethanation process of organic matter carried out by anaerobic microorganisms, leading to the formation of biogas.

Economy that uses biological resources, from the land and sea, as inputs for energy production and in industrial (materials), food and feed production.

Emissions that originate from natural processes and, consequently, are not counted among the factors that alter climate balances caused directly by humans; they are therefore distinct from direct CO2 emissions of fossil origin.

Biodegradable and/or biobased plastics. The bioplastics family is broad and includes various materials with different properties and applications. According to European Bioplastics (https://www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics/), a plastic material is a bioplastic if it is biobased, biodegradable or has both properties. The bioplastics family is divided into three main groups: – biobased or partially biobased, non-biodegradable plastics such as biobased PE, PP or PET (so-called drop-ins) and biobased polymers with technical performance such as PTT or TPC-ET; – plastics that are both biobased and biodegradable, such as PLA and PHA or PBS or starch blends; – plastics based on fossil resources and biodegradable, such as PBAT.

Industrial plant that applies appropriate conversion technologies to biomass to convert it partly into fuel and partly into products, such as food, materials and chemicals for the polymer industry, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc.

Model in which all activities, beginning with extraction and production, are organized to use renewable resources or recycled materials, creating a system in which products maintain their function for as long as possible, minimizing waste.

Standard reference used to measure the impact of greenhouse gases on global warming (Global Warming Potential (GWP)). The contribution of each gas is standardized against the contribution of one CO2 molecule, used as the unit of measurement.

Result of the bio-oxidation and humification of a mixture of organic materials (e.g., pruning waste, kitchen scraps, garden waste such as leaves and mowings) by macro- and microorganisms in the presence of oxygen. Compost is used as a nutrient for agricultural soils.

Property of biodegradable organic materials (food and yard trimmings, manure, some types of bioplastics, etc.) to be converted to compost in composting plants. According to European standard EN 13432, a material must possess the following four characteristics to be considered compostable, that is, recycled through organic recovery (composting and anaerobic digestion): – Biodegradability, which is the ability of a material to be converted to carbon dioxide (CO2) through the action of microorganisms, following the same process that occurs in natural wastes. – disintegration, i.e., fragmentation and loss of visibility in the final compost (absence of visual contamination). – No adverse effects on the composting process. – Almost complete absence of heavy metals and no adverse effects on compost quality.

Controlled biological decomposition, in the presence of oxygen, of organic waste, from which a rich humus, called compost, is formed. Composting involves a thermophilic phase and, on an industrial scale, takes place in special plants.

Waste collection that is done by separating waste according to its type, e.g., glass, plastic, paper, organic waste, metal, dry residue.

Set of indicators to measure the performance of a certain activity or process.

Objective procedure to assess the energy and environmental loads of a process or activity; it is done by identifying the energy and materials used as well as the waste released into the environment. The assessment covers the entire life cycle of the process/activity/product, including extraction and processing of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, distribution, use, reuse, recycling and final disposal.

Approach by which the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of products, services, technologies, and systems is analyzed, taking into consideration all phases of the life cycle (raw material extraction, production, use, distribution, and end of life).

An agronomic technique for weed control that involves covering the soil, except for the area where the plant of interest grows and develops, with an opaque material that blocks solar radiation, thus preventing weed growth. The most commonly used materials for mulching are plastic or bioplastic films, paper, layers of straw, and layers of bark.

Plants capable of producing fatty substances and storing them internally (e.g., in fruits or seeds), which can be used for nutritional and industrial purposes.

Carbon found in chemical compounds where it binds via covalent bonds to atoms of other elements (mainly hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen). Carbon found in carbon dioxide, carbonic acid and its salts, for example, calcium carbonate, does not fall under this definition.

Fraction of municipal waste consisting of food scraps and yard trimmings or animal waste that comes from domestic or industrial sources.

Aerobic (composting) or anaerobic (biomethanation) treatment carried out by microorganisms, under controlled conditions, of the organic fraction of waste, producing stabilized organic residues and methane. Landfilling cannot be considered a form of organic recycling.

Said raw materials (starch, oils, cellulose) and energy sources (wind, sun, etc.) that will not be depleted.

These are the essential elements of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, signed in 2015 by the governments of the 193 member countries of the UN.

Usually, formal document that uniformly establishes engineering or technical criteria, methods, processes, and practices.

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (source: EN 16575 standard).

In urban and industrial settings, set of technologies and methods for sorting, collecting, transporting, and treating waste produced by human, industrial, and domestic activities.