POSIDONIA OCEANICA & BIOWASTE RECYCLING PROJECT
Assea Bioenergy is a family company which started with the vision to implement sustainable practices to recycle Seaweed wastes of the sea plant called Posidonia Oceanica. Apostolia Tsampouniari studied mechanical engineering in UK and she is the founder of Assea, based in Kos island, Greece.
Kos is a blessed island with wonderful beaches and beautiful landscapes. In contrast to many other Aegean islands, Kos is a green island which, like the rest, suffers from climate change and drought. Due to tourism and high traffic, the island has developed a tourism strategy which, however, does not aim for or include sustainability. This is where ASSEA BIOENERGY comes in, offering recycling services for bulky green waste and produces ecological compost. Assea recycling services are based on a sustainable production process. The method we used is composting in open windrows which means that we utilize rain water straight into our compost production and in this way we limit the use of water from the public water supply network. Our products 100 % come from nature and go back to nature! This aims to protect the environment and to preserve the local ecosystem.
Bioenergy is a form of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) that comes from the energy utilization of organic materials of biological origin. It is defined as the chemical energy stored in plants and animals or in the waste they produce. The process that we follow aims to utilize this energy that comes from mother nature to produce organic fertilizers and biosoils. Due to climate change the soils especially in the Aegean Region became dry and poor in organic matter and other nutrients. Assea offers the most sustainable solution to replenish soil as all the raw materials that we used in our production process come from seaweed, grass and pruning wastes. Through our products we contribute in water saving since the compost we produce has the ability to retain more than 40% of the water used for planting!
DUTIES
The tasks related to volunteer work in our project are as follows:
1. Observation, inspection and monitoring of seaweed washed ashore (Locations: Mastichari, Marmari and Tigaki beaches).
2. Contribution in the production process through monitoring temperature in windrows (take temperature readings), collect and remove from the composting process other non organic wastes such as plastics etc.
3. Bagging Compost and Biosoil products using a semi-automatic bag packaging machine.
4. Plant edible sprouts and flowers - Conduct in vitro comparison tests using Assea products, video recording of the results and posting them online (on social media, etc.).
5. Contribute in marketing and improving sales distribution channels (contact with potential customers e.g. organic farmers, etc.).
Highly motivated volunteers with social communication skills and love for mother nature are ideal for this project!
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is provided in a villa with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and 1 WC.
The villa has a breathtaking view with balconies and backyard, and it is located in Pili, a traditional village with natural springs. The villa has 2 large balconies with sea and mountain views and a backyard with a garden for planting and harvesting your locally grown crops and fruits. Villa includes all appliances for cooking, cleaning etc.
Transportation to/from the airport as well as for project duties is provided.
MISSION & VALUES
Our practices have been published in FAMENET (Fisheries and Aquaculture Monitoring, Evaluation and Local Support Network) in the following Europeans Commission website:
https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/projects/organic-compost-and-soil-enhancements-seaweed-and-plant-waste_en
Our goal is to awaken the society that Posidonia Oceanica seaweed waste can be recycled and reused in improving the soil and planting, to export an organic made in Kos compost to other countries and create more products from wastes!
Our team values target a transition to net zero (no emissions or energy wasted), a lower carbon footprint and wishes Kos island to become a sustainable destination. The lack of good practices in Greece regarding garbage disposal and pollution are leading us to act more and help people not to be indifferent about the protection of our environment.
By replacing chemical fertilizers and promoting peat free agricultural products we all contribute in environmental protection.
We aim all authorities in the public or private sector in Kos island to start recycling as this would contribute to stop the systematic pollution that is happening for decades due to massive tourism and lack of eco-friendly principals. In the same time we contribute in maintaining cleanliness and preserving the beauty of our beaches.
SCHEDULE
Weekly schedule (08:30-13:30)
On a 2 week basis our volunteers should follow the routine as described below:
Monday – Observation, inspection and control of algae washed up on the shore (Locations: Mastichari, Marmari and Tigaki beaches).
Tuesday - Contribute in production process through monitoring temperature in windrows (take temperature readings), collect and remove from the composting process other non organic wastes such as plastics etc.
Wednesday - Bagging Compost and Biosoil products using a semi automatic bagging machine.
Thursday - Contribute in marketing and improving sales distribution channels (contact possible clients i.e. organic farmers etc.).
Friday – Contribution to marketing and improvement of sales distribution channels (contact with potential customers e.g. organic farmers, etc.).
Saturday – DAY OFF
Sunday – DAY OFF
During a typical day a volunteer should take actions as mentioned in daily duties depending on the day.
i.e. On Monday the works involve keeping records and photos of the quantity and quality of Posidonia washed ashore in three different locations. The beach locations subject to change due to weather conditions (wind etc).
Pick-up time is 8:30 and return time is 1:30 PM.
During Thursday and/or Friday our volunteers will have the opportunity to taste kos local agricultural products, explore agricultural sites and meet local farmers or producers.
Highly motivated volunteers with social communication skills and love for mother nature are ideal for this project!
DURATION
The program lasts from September 1st to November 30th and the minimum stay is 2 weeks.
In this way, the volunteer will have the opportunity in the second week to apply the knowledge they acquired during the first week and become more autonomous in their duties, under our constant guidance of course.
Volunteers should arrive and depart on Saturday or Sunday.
Upon arrival, a person from our team will pick up the volunteers and transfer them to the village of Pyli, to the villa provided.
Upon departure, a member of our team will pick up the volunteers and transfer them to Kos airport to catch their return flight.
PRICES
The cost of participating in our volunteer program is 1120 euros per 2 weeks. This includes airport transfers, accommodation, transfers to/from construction sites and a weekly supply of free fresh produce & fruits (to create a healthy breakfast or a Greek salad).