When most people think of sustainability, they think of recycling or using less plastic. But behind the scenes, researchers across Europe are going even further — finding ways to turn what used to be considered “waste” into entirely new products that can improve our daily lives. In a similar way, ONE EARTH is helping Europe move beyond simply managing waste. Through science, innovation, and teamwork, we create real products that support healthier people, stronger economies, and a cleaner environment.
It all starts with leftovers
Whether it’s cheese production, poultry farming, or fish processing, many industries generate large amounts of leftover materials — like whey, feathers, fish bones, or scales. For decades, these by-products have been thrown away, burned, or used as low-grade animal feed.
But ONE EARTH sees something else: raw materials full of potential. Through new biotechnologies, these by-products can now be transformed into high-value products for health, food, farming, and industry.
The next step: Bringing products to real life
The project is actively developing and testing products that can soon find their way into markets and homes across Europe.
Here are just a few examples:
- More Sustainable Aquaculture
ONE EARTH is developing improved fish feed formulations using alternative protein sources. These feeds reduce the need for wild fish in aquaculture diets, helping protect ocean ecosystems while still providing fish farmers with nutritious, effective feed.
- Healthier Ingredients for Nutraceuticals
By processing algae and other biomass, researchers are producing omega-3-rich oils (PUFAs) — essential nutrients that support heart, brain, and immune health. These ingredients can be used in supplements and functional foods, giving consumers more sustainable health options.
- Beauty and Industry Meet Bio-Based Innovation
Proteins extracted from feathers and fish scales are being turned into peptides, which are already being tested as ingredients for:
- Skin-care and beauty products
Natural adhesives that can replace fossil-based glues - Smarter Farming with Bio-Based Fertilizers
Organic residues are also being turned into biochar-based fertilizers, offering farmers better soil health while reducing the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers.
Why this work matters
The aim is not limited to reducing waste. It extends further to demonstrate how bio-based innovation enables the conversion of underutilized biomass into valuable resources. All this is done while promoting environmental sustainability, optimizing resource use, and strengthening Europe’s industrial capacity through new circular value chains.
By taking real-world needs into account — from farmers to fish producers and consumers — these solutions are designed to work at scale, across multiple industries.
The result?
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions
- Smarter use of natural resources
- Healthier products for consumers
- New opportunities for businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises
- Progress toward Europe’s climate and sustainability goals
Bringing Europe’s bioeconomy vision to life
ONE EARTH supports Europe’s commitment to building a modern, circular bioeconomy. One, where waste is no longer wasted, but instead becomes part of a healthy, sustainable system.
By creating real products and industrial applications, the project brings European strategies like the Green Deal, Bioeconomy Strategy, and Circular Economy Action Plan to life. In such a way we can show how innovative science can deliver tangible benefits.
At ONE EARTH, we believe that sustainability should be something you can see, use, and feel in your daily life — not just an abstract goal. That’s how real change happens.
