Phytoremediation in a circular economy - can we make ends meet?

Abstract

Phytoremediation describes plant-based methods and processes to remove pollutants from air, soil, and water. It has its limitations, mainly pollutant concentrations low enough to not prevent plant growth, and its benefits: the approach is nature-based in principle and typically in harmony with the environment.

Yet, after having extracted pollutants from their environments, plants should be fit for a specific function, e.g., carrying nutrients and substances which qualify them as a fertilizing product or a soil improver, potentially after some treatment before its actual use. The European Green Deal, the Farm-to-Fork Strategy and the Zero Pollution Action Plan provide a regulatory framework to which the products should be compliant. The new European Fertilising Product Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 (FPR) has been designed precisely to accommodate primary and secondary (recycled), mineral and organic fertilising products potentially including those which have recovered nutrients from aquatic bodies. The presentation will try to show the potential of the FPR to make phytoremediation products legally available on the European market.