Nelli Kyöstilä
Nutrient Recycling Specialist
Finnish Biocycle and Biogas Association
Finland
In Finland, nearly 20 million tons of livestock manure, about 1.5 million tons of agricultural surplus grass, and a total of over 2 million tons of various organic sludges, waste, and by-products from municipalities and industries are produced annually. The nutrients in these biomass sources are unevenly distributed across Finland, leading to regions with nutrient surpluses and deficits. A breakthrough in efficient nutrient recycling has yet to be achieved, requiring broad collaboration and strong commitment to solving the issue. When properly planned and implemented, nutrient recycling can significantly reduce nutrient emissions into the environment and decrease the use of non-renewable natural resources. Thus, nutrient recycling is a matter of national security and self-sufficiency.
The Baltic Sea, one of the most enclosed and sensitive marine ecosystems in the world, faces significant environmental challenges, largely due to eutrophication. One of the main contributors to this nutrient overload is agricultural runoff. In response, sustainable nutrient management strategies have become a focal point of environmental policy and research in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), especially the innovative use of recycled fertilizers and biogas. These solutions can close nutrient loops, reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, enable domestic energy production, and support agricultural sustainability and environmental restoration.
Recycled fertilizers, which are derived from waste and side streams such as food waste, manure, sewage sludge, and agricultural residues, are gaining attention as an alternative to traditional synthetic fertilizers. By repurposing waste and side stream materials into carbon- and moderately nutrient-rich fertilizers, recycled fertilizers help close the nutrient loop and reduce the environmental burden of agricultural production. Biogas offers multifaceted benefits and is a true win-win solution: it simultaneously strengthens energy and nutrient self-sufficiency, reduces emissions in agriculture and transportation, and increases the domestic share of production inputs.
The use of recycled fertilizers has several environmental benefits. Organic fertilizers improve soil structure, water retention, and biodiversity while enhancing carbon sequestration—key for sustainable agriculture in the Baltic Sea Region.
It has been estimated that recycled phosphorus could cover 90% and recycled nitrogen more than one-third of Finland's annual plant production needs for phosphorus and nitrogen. Using local side and waste streams can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and lower the carbon footprint of fertilization and manure processing emissions.
From an economic perspective, recycled fertilizers provide a cost-effective alternative to conventional fertilizers, especially in regions where waste streams are abundant. Moreover, the production of recycled fertilizers can create new business opportunities and jobs.
While the potential for recycled fertilizers and biogas in sustainable nutrient management is clear, several challenges must be addressed to scale these solutions effectively in the Baltic Sea Region. These include regulatory barriers, logistical, and economic considerations. For instance, there is a need for policies that incentivize the use of recycled fertilizers and support the growth of biogas infrastructure. Additionally, there is a need to ensure that recycled fertilizers meet increasingly stringent quality standards. However, these challenges present opportunities for innovation. Additionally, the development of market incentives, such as subsidies or tax breaks for farmers who use recycled fertilizers, can help accelerate the adoption of these sustainable practices.
Cooperation among countries and industries in the BSR is essential. Finnish Biocycle and Biogas Association is one of the project partners in CiNURGi project, that brings organisations into symbioses to find solutions to recycle nutrient-rich biomasses into safe fertilizers and provides authorities with roadmaps to further facilitate reducing nutrient losses in future. The project aligns with several key regional and European strategies, contributing to sustainability and resource efficiency in BSR.
Sustainable nutrient management in the Baltic Sea Region is crucial to addressing the ongoing problem of eutrophication and protecting the health of this vital ecosystem. Recycled fertilizers and biogas offer innovative, circular solutions that can reduce nutrient pollution, enhance soil fertility, and mitigate climate change. By harnessing local waste streams, the region can create a more sustainable agricultural system that reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers, improves water quality, and supports the broader goals of environmental and economic sustainability. Cross-border collaboration across sectors and research is key to scaling these solutions and ensuring the Baltic Sea Region remains resilient and vibrant in the long term.
The Baltic Sea, one of the most enclosed and sensitive marine ecosystems in the world, faces significant environmental challenges, largely due to eutrophication. One of the main contributors to this nutrient overload is agricultural runoff. In response, sustainable nutrient management strategies have become a focal point of environmental policy and research in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), especially the innovative use of recycled fertilizers and biogas. These solutions can close nutrient loops, reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, enable domestic energy production, and support agricultural sustainability and environmental restoration.
Recycled fertilizers, which are derived from waste and side streams such as food waste, manure, sewage sludge, and agricultural residues, are gaining attention as an alternative to traditional synthetic fertilizers. By repurposing waste and side stream materials into carbon- and moderately nutrient-rich fertilizers, recycled fertilizers help close the nutrient loop and reduce the environmental burden of agricultural production. Biogas offers multifaceted benefits and is a true win-win solution: it simultaneously strengthens energy and nutrient self-sufficiency, reduces emissions in agriculture and transportation, and increases the domestic share of production inputs.
The use of recycled fertilizers has several environmental benefits. Organic fertilizers improve soil structure, water retention, and biodiversity while enhancing carbon sequestration—key for sustainable agriculture in the Baltic Sea Region.
It has been estimated that recycled phosphorus could cover 90% and recycled nitrogen more than one-third of Finland's annual plant production needs for phosphorus and nitrogen. Using local side and waste streams can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and lower the carbon footprint of fertilization and manure processing emissions.
From an economic perspective, recycled fertilizers provide a cost-effective alternative to conventional fertilizers, especially in regions where waste streams are abundant. Moreover, the production of recycled fertilizers can create new business opportunities and jobs.
While the potential for recycled fertilizers and biogas in sustainable nutrient management is clear, several challenges must be addressed to scale these solutions effectively in the Baltic Sea Region. These include regulatory barriers, logistical, and economic considerations. For instance, there is a need for policies that incentivize the use of recycled fertilizers and support the growth of biogas infrastructure. Additionally, there is a need to ensure that recycled fertilizers meet increasingly stringent quality standards. However, these challenges present opportunities for innovation. Additionally, the development of market incentives, such as subsidies or tax breaks for farmers who use recycled fertilizers, can help accelerate the adoption of these sustainable practices.
Cooperation among countries and industries in the BSR is essential. Finnish Biocycle and Biogas Association is one of the project partners in CiNURGi project, that brings organisations into symbioses to find solutions to recycle nutrient-rich biomasses into safe fertilizers and provides authorities with roadmaps to further facilitate reducing nutrient losses in future. The project aligns with several key regional and European strategies, contributing to sustainability and resource efficiency in BSR.
Sustainable nutrient management in the Baltic Sea Region is crucial to addressing the ongoing problem of eutrophication and protecting the health of this vital ecosystem. Recycled fertilizers and biogas offer innovative, circular solutions that can reduce nutrient pollution, enhance soil fertility, and mitigate climate change. By harnessing local waste streams, the region can create a more sustainable agricultural system that reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers, improves water quality, and supports the broader goals of environmental and economic sustainability. Cross-border collaboration across sectors and research is key to scaling these solutions and ensuring the Baltic Sea Region remains resilient and vibrant in the long term.