BQ11 - How do we embed and maximise a sustainable circular economy within the water sector by 2050?

ROUTE MAPCASE STUDIES

We are currently working on the approach to answering this Big Question, and more information will be given here soon.

The areas that this Big Question covers includes:

  • Evaluate if we are contributing harmful plastics to the water cycle
  • Establish their source and effective control measures to remove them

Once we understand where the gaps are, we will produce a route map – this is a plan as to how we will answer our Big Question.

The route map will have a number of key elements. At the top will be our Big Question and then we will look to see what Outcomes we need from the research programme -if we can achieve all these outcomes we can answer the Big Question. This is the stage we are currently at for this Big Question.

The next stage will be to think about the key benefits we want the research projects to deliver to meet these outcomes.

Following this, we will plan the research projects to help deliver the benefits.

UKWIR – the UK and Irish water industry’s research body – has commissioned the first study of its kind in the UK to develop a robust approach to sampling and detection of microplastic particles in the treated water cycle. This included accurately measuring the presence of microplastic particles in potable (drinking) water, treated wastewater and in the solid residues (sludge) produced by both the water and wastewater treatment processes. Please click here to view more information.

Research Outcomes

Water sector waste regulation is underpinned by the circular economy, and producer responsibility / controls at source are fully effective
Key Benefits
- Ability to influence to ensure the need for controls at source is understood; and that controls are implemented.
- An evidence base that enables positive regulatory alignment to the objectives of the circular economy.
- Understand what a circular economy water industry looks like and overcome regulatory barriers.
Technologies are available to enable all waste streams to be cost effectively recycled and resources recovered
Key Benefits
- Informing the most effective deployment of emerging technologies & methods
- The value of resources and the practicalities of recovery opportunities are clear
We minimise use of finite resources and the use of recycled products is maximised
Key Benefits
- Ability to identify, maximise the benefits and the use of recycled resources as part of all water industry activities (including water and wastewater operations and capital delivery).
- Knowledge of the merits of efficient and effective recovery of waste into product that are marketable
Resource use and recycling approaches drive social, environmental and economic capital gain for society
Key Benefits
- An ability to identify sustainable markets for resource use
Ownership and responsibility for resources management is clear and all play a partnership role in driving resource efficiency
Key Benefits
- Ability identify and to communicate opportunities to our customers', stakeholders and regulators, which enhance resource efficiency and promotes benefits.
- Amount of waste generated is minimised.
- Understand and record our resource and waste streams
The economic and regulatory frameworks effectively support and incentivize resource recovery and reuse in the water sector
Key Benefits
- Ability to make procurement and investment choices based on zero waste ambition / circular economy objectives
- An evidence base to support an investment approach that enhances resource recovery and reuse; and that enables positive regulatory alignment to the objectives of the circular economy
- We know what is of value and everything of value is recovered
 

Research Impact - Case Studies