Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/868124
WEEKLY EDITION AUG 30, 2017 Urine Luck!...continued By Karleen Kos, PSAI Executive Director The Rich Earth Institute, a nonprofit that engages in research, education and technological innovation to advance the use of human waste as a resource, hosted the event. More than 40 people attended the conference which focused on technical innovations, regulatory and policy challenges, economic implications, social barriers, and environmental impacts associated with the current process of waste disposal at publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and the possibilities involved with reclaiming urine as a distinct resource. The keynote speaker was Tove Larsen (pictured right) from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG). A native of Denmark, Dr. Larsen is one of the world's experts on the subject of urine, its uses and challenges. You can watch and listen to her keynote presentation on Youtube here. During the two days of the conference, the Rich Earth Institute provided a full tour of the operations of the urine nutrient reclamation projects they are carrying out in Vermont. Photos of some aspects of their work can be found on page 3. These should give you a sense of the scope of things currently being worked on in the US. As part of the conference program I was invited to give a talk about the PSAI and the international standards we are involved in creating. Around a dozen others also made presentations about various aspects of waste disposal and reclamation in western markets. Over the next several weeks we'll cover some of them in greater depth in Association Insight. So what is the upshot of the experience? He are my observations: • Turning waste into a resource from which money can be made – or saved – rather than an expense to be borne was a big theme. • Reclaiming waste is not an isolated or crackpot idea. The same concept was on full display in South Africa earlier this year, and experts from around the world were discussing it. It's becoming a "thing" – and one that could present PSAI Members with opportunities for saving or making money in the years to come. • The current state of the research and experimental approaches are "not ready for prime time." On the technology side of things, equipment solutions are needed that would allow urine to be easily diverted at the site of its production. On the business side of things, the full value chain needs to be more fully developed. I repeatedly asked, "If a portable restroom operator had 1000 gallons of reclaimed urine every day, where's the market for it?" The answer, at present, is better in rural areas than urban ones – and in some states regulations would need to be re-written to accommodate the use of the urine as fertilizer. • The PSAI can offer a lot to this developing process, which can be a win-win for Members and the environment. I will be discussing all of this more thoroughly with the Board at its upcoming meetings and planning retreat. As part of serving our Members better, we aim to make sure we are on top of emerging ideas and technologies that can help you grow your business – whether you are an industry operator or supplier. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available – urine luck! PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 3