Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/915561
The Day May Come When PROs Turn Urine Into Cash By PSAI Executive Director Karleen Kos, as published in the December version of PRO Monthly Did you know that urine diversion is going on all over the world? From Vermont to Eu rope to Africa, experts and entrepreneurs are exploring the business opportunities, sanitation implications, and ecological benefits of separating urine at the source. There's even an annual urine reclamation "summit meeting" each summer in Vermont. There, researchers and business owners gather to talk about pee and its uses. The Rich Earth Institute, a nonprofit organization that engages in research, education and technological innovation to advance the use of human waste as a resource hosts the annual U rine Diversion Summit in Brattleboro, Vermont each August. More than 40 people attended the conference which focused on technical innovations, regulatory and policy challenges, economic implications, social barriers, and environmental impacts associated wi th the current process of waste disposal at publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and – more importantly - the possibilities involved with reclaiming urine as a distinct resource. WEEKLY EDITION D ecember 13, 2017 Disaster Dispatch: PSAI Members Discuss the California Wildfires The PSAI reached out to som e of our California Members to hear how the current fires are impacting their day - to - day operations and how portable sanitation is needed in the relief efforts When natural disasters occur, most of the world fears for the people in the affected are a. They worry for their safety, for their homes, possessions, and businesses. With each hurrica ne, tornado, or fire, the PSAI worries for our impacted Members, particularly because portable sanitation sits at an interesting crossroads when disaster strikes. These events won't just wreak havoc on Member homes and offices. They also demand portable sanitation resources for relief efforts. Even when called to evacuate the area, employees of local PROs understand that they'll be needed at work the following day. The s elflessness of many portable sanitation professionals during these times of crisis does not go unnoticed. In September when hurricanes repeatedly hit areas across the globe, we reached out to our affected PSAI Members. We checked in to make sure they wer e safe and asked them to share their stories . While no two natural disasters are the same, there is a benefit to learning from the experiences of your fellow PROs . Which is why we've now made similar contact with a number of our Members in California a s they take on their own natural disaster – wildfires . Wildfires in California are not uncommon. In fact, in October, more than 250 wildfires spread across Northern California, bur ning numerous acres of land and taking down over 8,000 structures. At the beginning of December, a new round of wildfires erupted in S outhern California. These have since led to mass evac uations and property losses . PSAI Members A Company, Cal - State Site Services, and Northwest Cascade/Honey Bucket offered some insight into thei r experiences with the fires. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 5