SMILEce-projektet

SMILEce is an Erasmus+ supported project led by Changemaker based in Sweden. The project partnership is formed by 6 different institutions coming from five European countries (Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovenia, Spain & Sweden.)

The SMILECE project targets the ever evolving Craft Beer/independent Brewery industry in Europe, and builds on the outputs of the previous SMILE project. SMILECE is offering incumbents and new entrants, exposure to new techniques, culture and ideas from circular economy (CE) which has recently gained traction in European policymaking as a positive, solutions-based perspective for achieving economic development within increasing environmental constraints.

The main outcome of the project will be the SMILEce platform, which together with the learning objects, other resources and its pedagogical model will respond to both the EU/National priorities and the needs identified within the sector.

What is circular economy?

A circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible.

Circular economy systems: keep the added value in products for as long as possible and aim to eliminate waste and keep resources within the economy when a product has reached the end of its life, so that they can be productively used again and again and hence create further value.

How can brewers re use waste material?

Brewers can reuse materials involved in the brewing process. Spent grains can be used for bread, granola bars, and even dog treats.

Even the waste water from the brewing process is being re-used, beer-making takes up to 20 litres of water (or more) per one litre of brewed beer.

“The city of Boulder, Colorado, has been testing out using weak wort, a sugary liquid left over from the brewing process, to help reduce nitrogen runoff from one of its water-treatment facilities.”

The hops and malt used in the production of beer can also be used by farmers as feed for livestock and fertiliser.

References: https://modernfarmer.com/2015/08/recycled-brewery-waste/ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2016/jun/27/a-pint-of-the-unusual-the-search-for-a-zero-waste-beer