Interreg France (Channel) England (FCE) is an EU programme set up to foster economic development in the south of the UK and north of France by funding innovative projects which have a sustainable and economic benefit.
It focuses on a range of specific objectives including supporting innovation, improving the attractiveness of the FCE area and developing low carbon technologies. Learn more about Interreg France (Channel) England (FCE).
For enquiries related to ReCon Soil contact Yve Metcalfe-Tyrrell, Project Manager
Bringing together scientists, industry and educators to revolutionise how construction waste materials are managed
The ReCon Soil project will develop and roll out at least three new soil recipes made from locally-sourced construction waste, dredged sediments and agricultural by-products.
These recipes will be thoroughly investigated in laboratories in Plymouth, and then at sites in the UK and France, to monitor their effectiveness and potential environmental impact.
The data from those studies will then be incorporated into blueprints detailing when and where the soils can be deployed, and any amendments needed to ensure their effective deployment.
It will also establish five new low-carbon technology networks – with members from the construction, agricultural, conservation, and public sectors – and train 200 workers, helping to take reconstructed soils from research to commercialisation.
The project will also explore the current policy barriers and regulatory impediments that would need to be addressed for the practice to be rolled out right across the construction sector.
Read the press release
University of Plymouth staff
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Professor Mark Fitzsimons
Professor of Environmental Chemistry
Principal Investigator
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Professor Will Blake
Professor of Catchment Science
Co-Investigator
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Dr Giuliano Laudone
Lecturer in Physical Chemistry
Co-Investigator
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Dr George Littlejohn
Associate Professor of Plant and Fungal Biology
Co-Investigator
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Professor Mathew Upton
Associate Head of School (Research)
Co-Investigator
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Dr Naofel Aljafer
Senior Research Fellow
Research Fellow
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Mrs Angela Harrop
Technician
Research Assistant
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Ms Yve Metcalfe-Tyrrell
SEI Project Manager (ReconSoil)
Project Director
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Miss Nicki Egginton
Project and KE Officer
Soil research at the University
The University is home to world-leading researchers in various aspects of soil research. Working with partners including the world-famous Eden Project, it has over a decade of expertise in the design and manufacture of reconstructed soils. This includes measuring the effectiveness of soil recipes and the nutrients that need adding to ensure optimum mixes and working with industry and agriculture to ensure they are fit for purpose.
It has also led internationally significant research in Europe, Africa and South America looking at the causes and effects of soil degradation. That research has suggested that an interdisciplinary approach – which includes engaging local communities – is the only way to secure real and lasting change and avoid such devastating impacts on traditional farming landscapes.
News of our work on soils and soil erosion
- €2.5million project aims to develop sustainable soils from construction waste and by-products 31 March 2021
- International project aims to help communities address the effects of soil erosion 16 April 2020
- University soil research earns success at inaugural Tech South West Awards 2 December 2019
- Soil erosion image to feature in national showcase of science photography 14 August 2019
- Study identifies way to enhance the sustainability of manufactured soils 2 August 2019
- Peatlands of Dartmoor could be crucial in fight against climate change 17 July 2019