Previous research by the applicants has established that the closed-loop recycling of polypropylene (PP) plastic, one of the major plastic types used in packaging, is limited because the quality is insufficient for food contact. To tackle this challenge, a systemic change, potentially via the introduction of a deposit return system (DRS) coupled with strong consumer participation is crucial. A DRS has the potential to minimize contamination to the extent that the requirements of the EFSA are met, as it is in the case of polyethene terephthalate (PET) beverage bottles. Objectives 1. Assess the feasibility of using recycled PP in food contact applications based on analytical evidence of the presence and concentration of key organic contaminants 2. Understand and quantify the drivers of consumer participation in terms of packaging return and purchasing choices

While incineration established itself as the best treatment option for municipal and industrial waste, with around 90 Mt/y of waste treated in EU incinerators, the management of its main residue, that is bottom ash, rapidly became a crucial point in the waste chain. With 80 – 85 % (w/w) of mineral fraction and a valuable 10 – 12 % of metals, the recovery of residual useful components from bottom ash is a complex challenge for EU (20 % w/w of metals contained in bottom ash are not yet recovered), that may lead to important technical, socio/economic and environmental outcomes. BASH-TREAT objectives are: 1) a complete assessment of EU state-of-the-art bottom ash treatment options considering technical/economic/environmental viewpoint; 2) an optimization of the exploitation of the refining treatment of the fine fraction deriving from full-scale trial tests; 3) the development of EU guidelines for the enhanced and innovative full valorisation of valuable components of bottom ash (metals and mineral fraction). What is expected from BASH-TREAT is a database with information about performances, results, characteristic of bottom ash treatment in EU and suggestion for process improvement. The validation of the data via full-scale treatment plant plants. The development of new innovative technologies for the treatment of the fine fraction in a lab scale process. The technical, economical and environmental assessment will be performed for all the aspects faced in the project. An international, interdisciplinar and intersectoral consortium composed by two universities, one research center and two industrial partners with provide different and specific expertise-competences will face BASH-TREAT research activities.,L’obiettivo principale del progetto è la valutazione delle prospettive esistenti per il trattamento delle ceneri pesanti derivanti dall’incenerimento dei rifiuti, con particolare interesse per la frazione fine residuale, e l’analisi delle loro prestazioni considerando ceneri pesanti derivanti da diversi impianti di incenerimento nella realtà Europea. I risultati di questa valutazione saranno inclusi nell’elaborazione di azioni e tecnologie che potranno essere applicate al fine di andare oltre lo stato dell’arte, soddisfare gli standard richiesti per le materie prime secondarie in diversi settori industriali e contribuire allo sviluppo di criteri End-of-Waste per le ceneri pesanti. L’obiettivo finale del progetto è la conversione delle ceneri pesanti in materie prime secondarie per le quali sia disponibile un mercato, l’uso sia legale e non siano causati impatti sulla salute dell’uomo e dell’ambiente. L’Unità di Ricerca del DIATI – Politecnico di Torino è leader del WP1 (Analysis of EU Baseline situation about bottom ash management) e del WP4 (Economic and environmental assessment. Key performance indicators) e contribuirà ai WP2 (Trial tests of bottom ash treatment on a full- scale), WP3 (Evaluation of recovery potential of the fine fraction), WP5 (Communication and dissemination) e WP6 (Project Management).