Alien PLAnt SpEcies - from harmful to useful with citizens' led activities

Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS) are one of the biggest challenges in European ecosystems. They displace local vegetation, destroy agricultural land and cause damage to European economy in billions of euros every year. Many of them are daily removed and mainly burned. Applause project addresses unsolved questions regarding invasive alien species in terms of the zero waste approach and circular economy. Nowadays people are composting or incinerating these plants. By recognizing the potential of IAPS, Applause aims to introduce sustainable production processes for transforming the biomass of collected plants into useful products made of wood and paper. First of all we want to make it easier for the citizens to recognize and identify invasive non-native plant species and then remove and process them into useful products. One of the biggest challenges is to develop successful and trustworthy circular economy model, finding new use for all parts of collected IAPS and upcycling the residual materials. The project addresses the widest possible circle of stakeholders: kindergartens, schools, pupils, students, households, property owners, companies, tourists, professional organizations… During research a list of appropriate IAPS for paper, wood and food products, dyes and home-made formulations against plant harmful organisms will pre prepared. For innovative high added value products it is necessary to know raw material (wood) properties. For this purpose 17 different woody plant species will be examined (anatomy, physical-mechanical properties, basic chemical composition, machinability, gluing properties, durability, resistance and impregnability). Analyze results will enable developing a greener way of pre-treating the pulp for paper production – processing with enzymes. We are also going to find a solution for wood waste which now serves as an energy-generating product but can also be processed into other useful products. The business model will also be transferable to the international environment, enabling new green jobs, new skills and the inclusion of hard-to-employ people and people with disabilities. By introducing handicraft workshops in the center of re-use, we preserve traditional crafts, cultural heritage and knowledge.