The A2U Food Project, Heraklion, Greece

City/Town/Village: Heraklion
County/Province/District (Name of): n/a
Sub-national State: Crete
Country: Greece
Language: English
Spatial Distinction: Urban
Level of Government: Municipality
Population: 173,993
Population Range: 50,000 to 249,999
Policy Type: Plans
Food Systems Sector(s): food and organic waste management
Year of Adoption: 2018
Adopting Government Department(s): Municipality of Heraklion
Lead Implementing Entity: Urban Innovative Actions; European Union
Supporting Entity: European Regional Development Fund
Additional Supporting Entity: United Association of Solid Waste Management in Crete; ENVIROPLAN S.A; University of Crete; Technological Educational Institute of Crete; Harokopio University; University of Stuttgart
Funding Amount: $3,533,993.75, total budget granted since the project began in March 2018
Funding Sources: European Regional Development Fund
Policy Links: PDF-Original – Web
Link to Additional Resources: Resource 1
Policy Outcome:

The A2U Food Project is a food waste management plan adopted by the City of Heraklion under the Urban Innovative Actions by the Urban Lab of Europe.The amount of visitors that the city receives each year demands the city to implement a holistic solid waste management plan such as the A2U. A2U proposes a holistic waste management scheme using the following methods: (i) reduction of avoidable food waste; (ii) utilization of unavoidable food waste as raw materials; and (iii) proper management of unavoidable food waste. To implement these plans, the city of Heraklion has introduced software and hardware (e.g., compostable bags, autonomous composting units) to help families and the hospitality sector to reduce food waste. The city aims to reduce food waste by 1% in households and 2-3% in the hospitality sector. Also, the city aims to divert 2.5% of unavoidable food waste to composting annually.

Policy Keywords: compost; composting; composting facilities; food waste apps; food waste diversion; food waste education; funding; grant; recycling; restaurants; university partnerships; waste management; waste prevention; waste recycling