In May 2026, MEDWISE reached a different kind of stage: a local venue in Vic (Spain), during the international science festival Pint of Science. The event, which brings researchers to pubs and cafés to talk about their work in an informal setting, offered the BETA Technological Centre (UVic‑UCC) an opportunity to present how composting can turn organic waste into a resource, and how this links to the project’s activities in Spain.
The 15‑minute talk, followed by around 10 minutes of questions, covered four main topics. First, the speaker explained the environmental impact of poorly managed organic waste, including greenhouse‑gas emissions and unnecessary pressure on landfills. Second, the session presented what composting is and the main benefits it provides, from soil fertility to carbon storage. Third, the talk introduced MEDWISE and the work being carried out with the decentralised community composting system in Les Masies de Roda, showing how a small municipality has addressed its organic‑waste challenge and the concrete benefits obtained. Finally, the audience received simple, practical guidance on how to start composting at home.
The audience was mixed and not limited to an academic public, which is one of the strengths of the Pint of Science format. Questions focused on very practical aspects (such as how to control moisture in a compost bin) and on details of the Les Masies de Roda experience, including how many composters are in place and how the system is managed. This kind of interaction helped to connect MEDWISE messages with everyday concerns and to show that technical solutions can be translated into concrete actions at household level.
For MEDWISE, participation in Pint of Science complements more formal project activities by opening a space where research on organic waste and decentralised composting can be discussed in accessible language, in a relaxed environment. It also supports the project’s broader objective of raising awareness about food‑waste prevention and organic‑waste management across Mediterranean communities.
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