WELCOME TO OUR PAGE
The "ELAIONAS" project was born thanks to the collaboration between the University of the Aegean, the Hellenic Mediterranean University, the Agricultural Cooperative of Petra, Mr. Kokkinelis, and the Union of Environmental Scientists of Greece.
It involves a collective effort to address critical environmental problems arising from the mismanagement of olive oil production residues, thereby enhancing the Circular Economy in Greece.
About the "ELAIONAS" Project
The Problem
Every year, 3 million tons of olive wood, resulting from pruning and not utilized as firewood, are burned, polluting the atmosphere.
The Solution
Our initiative is based on the Circular Economy model, promoting waste reduction by recycling raw materials and extending their life cycle.
The Team
Selecting specific regions and participating members was crucial in realizing the ELAIONAS project. Crete and Lesbos emerge as significant olive oil-producing areas in the country due to their long tradition in olive cultivation.
In Crete, there are over 30,000,000 olive trees, while in Lesbos, there are over 10,000,000 olive trees, covering a substantial percentage of the land. The olive groves generate significant amounts of prunings and olive mill waste, causing environmental issues in water, soil, and air.
The Agricultural Cooperative of Petra and the company Seven Olea, led by Mr. Kokkinelis, focus on organic olive cultivation without using fertilizers. The production of soil additives from the residues of olive trees and olive mills will enrich the soil with nutrients and organic matter.
The project coordinator, Michalis Fountoulakis, Associate Professor at the University of the Aegean, has experience in significant research projects related to the organic treatment of olive mill wastes. The Scientific Coordinator of the Hellenic Mediterranean University, Professor Thrasyvoulos Manios, also has substantial experience in projects related to composting solid wastes and their disposal in cultivations.
