WASTE TO RESILIENCE (W2R)

Banner Image - W2R (Logo)

Harnessing concrete waste and enzymes from food waste to catalyse enhanced rock weathering in soils of vacant and derelict land (VDL) across Glasgow.

About the Waste to Resilience Project

Science-driven. Circular. Urban regeneration in action.

Cities today face complex challenges: climate change + urban heat island effect, pollution, inequality, and land degradation. In Glasgow, over 700 hectares of land remain vacant and derelict—many of them with various levels of contamination and cut off from their community potential.

Glasgow Map Header

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste to Resilience (WtR) explores a novel, interdisciplinary approach to address urban soil degradation and climate challenges. We are investigating the potential of Enzyme Accelerated Enhanced Rock Weathering (EA-ERW) — using concrete waste and enzymes derived from food waste — to support soil regeneration, carbon sequestration, and the restoration of vital ecosystem services.

Rather than offering a ready-made solution, this project seeks to test and develop a nature-based technology grounded in sustainability, circular economy principles, and scientific innovation. We're not just treating degraded land — we're exploring new pathways to catalyse environmental transformation.

W2R Picture 1

W2R Picture 2

Source: Soil Biological Processes in Urban Soils | SpringerLink

About the Waste to Resilience Project

Our Solution: EA-ERW

Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) (link to the youtube video – 5 min TED talk on ERW - (70) The surprising way we can cool the planet - Elise Cutts - YouTube) is a natural process where silicate minerals weather over time, capturing atmospheric CO₂ and forming stable carbonates. Our innovation lies in using:

  • Concrete waste as the mineral base instead of crushed rocks
  • Food-derived enzymes (from soybeans, banana peel, and others) to speed up ERW reaction

 Potential Benefits Under Investigation:

  • Enhanced rates of carbon sequestration through accelerated mineral weathering
  • Improved nutrient cycling and soil fertility in treated substrates
  • Partial neutralisation of soil acidity
  • Reduced mobility of ecotoxic metals via mineral and organic immobilisation
  • Increased biodiversity and microbial activity in amended soils
  • Alignment with circular economy principles through the reuse of waste materials

 

The Waste to Resilience Project Team

 

Heloisa Dickinson                               Victor Hundebøll                               Dr. John MacDonald

  Heloisa Dickinson                                      Victor Hundebøll                                   Dr. John MacDonald

 Lead Researcher                 Research Assistant & Project Technician            Principal Investigator

 

 

 

Why It Matters

Urban soils play a critical role in climate resilience, yet they remain one of the most neglected components of the urban environment. In Glasgow, soil pollution compromises biodiversity, limits carbon sequestration, and hinders opportunities for sustainable regeneration.

W2R Picture 2.2

Source: Soil Biological Processes in Urban Soils | SpringerLink

 

WtR tackles this by:

Facilitating soil regeneration
Repurposing local waste streams
Supporting green infrastructure and biodiversity
Reducing pollution and health risks
Creating opportunities for inclusive regeneration

The Research

In collaboration with Zero Waste Scotland (Zero Waste Scotland | Inspiring change to fight the climate crisis) and the University of Glasgow, we conduct laboratory and field experiments using soil columns, enzyme extracts, and concrete dust. We evaluate:

  • Carbon capture efficiency
  • Removal efficiency of ecotoxic metals
  • Soil mineral transformation
  • Soil  structure changes

WtR Picture 4

Analytical techniques include: XRD, SEM-EDS, TGA, FTIR, Elemental Analysis, Isotopic Carbon Measurement, and more.

 

WtR Picture 5

Circular Economy in Practice

WtR exemplifies circular economy thinking:

  • Food and construction waste become resources
  • Lower method costs and environmental impact
  • Local, scalable, and replicable solutions

Waste to Resilience (WtR) contributes to sustainable urban transformation by integrating science with practical regeneration.

Key expected impacts include:

  • Supporting the regeneration of vacant and derelict land
  • Enhancing soil health through detoxification and fertility restoration
  • Contributing to climate mitigation via accelerated carbon sequestration
  • Advancing community well-being and promoting environmental justice and equity

 We work with Zero Waste Scotland to inform Scottish policy and embed waste-to-resource strategies in future planning.

Links

Interested in collaborating, volunteering, or learning more? 

Contact: Heloisa Dickinson (h.dickinson.2@research.gla.ac.uk)