Turning Waste into Opportunity: Bio-Waste Mapping for Refugee Integration

InnoPolis is pleased to present the results of its latest ISRICM-EU deliverable, D003.034 – Bio-Waste Mapping, which demonstrates how environmental innovation can be effectively combined with refugee integration.

The research highlights the significant bio-waste potential in Greece:

• Approximately 237,000 tons of food waste annually from restaurants and hotels
• An estimated 1.5–2 million tons of agricultural bio-waste generated by olive mills, farms, and food-processing activities

Rather than being incinerated or disposed of in landfills, this bio-waste represents an opportunity to create employment, develop skills, and support the social and economic integration of Ukrainian refugees.

Key Findings

The study indicates substantial job creation potential across the bio-waste value chain:

• Up to 90 jobs in food recovery, composting, and community kitchen initiatives
• Between 150 and 225 green jobs in agricultural bio-waste management, composting, and olive-mill waste processing

These roles typically involve low language barriers, provide access to EU-recognized skills, and foster meaningful integration through teamwork, stable employment, and community engagement.

Stakeholder Validation

To assess feasibility and market readiness, InnoPolis consulted 15 Greek organizations from the hospitality and agricultural sectors. The results confirm strong stakeholder support:

• 80% overall satisfaction with the proposed approach
• 86.7% willingness to employ Ukrainian refugees
• Identified needs include language training, coordination support, and technical upskilling

These findings demonstrate that Greek businesses are well positioned to participate in solutions that combine environmental sustainability with social responsibility.

Why This Matters

Bio-waste management extends beyond recycling. It contributes to:

• Creating sustainable employment pathways for refugees
• Supporting Greece in achieving EU environmental and circular-economy targets
• Strengthening community cohesion through shared responsibility
• Advancing a circular economy with measurable social impact

This deliverable reflects the core mission of ISRICM-EU: fostering innovation that benefits both people and the environment.