Background Waste management and treatment of organic by-products and waste (such as pig manure, wastewater, waste from abattoirs, gardening/ pruning and other municipal by-products) is becoming an environmental, social and political priority in many countries and is increasingly problematic because of the high volumes of production and low re-use/recovery rates. In many areas this waste is still disposed of without any pre-treatment, causing significant negative environmental impacts on soil and water sources, as well as high management costs. Although notable improvements have been carried out in this area over the last decades, there are still many opportunities for more efficient and more integrated management of this waste by increasing its re-use and by producing economically valuable goods or energy. Objectives The project will implement innovative technologies/ methods for the treatment of waste materials and by-products generated by municipalities and livestock activities. Specifically the project will: Test/ evaluate different combinations of waste materials used for biomethanation (municipal waste materials and by-product and livestock waste) at a pilot plant - biogas production, methane content and energy values will be assessed; Examine the physical and chemical properties of the “digestates” generated by the biomethanation process to find the optimum process from an environmental and health point of view; Determine the best possible process for generating energy from the digestates, by assessing a pellet-making process to optimise heat production; Seek the best uses for the final residues (ashes), from an agronomic and/or industrial point of view; Produce a study of costs and economic benefits of energy recovery, focusing on different scales and applicability in Europe; Disseminate and transfer the project experience and knowledge. Expected results include: Reduction in waste quantities of almost 99% – i.e., from 36 400 kg of initial waste, the estimated amount of ashes is 403 kg/year, (N.B. even the final residue obtained - ashes - could have an agricultural or industrial use); Significant reduction (some 30%) in water requirements; Reductions in CO2 emissions; Economic balance i.e., demonstrating alternative sources of income for local councils and other stakeholders such as farmers.)