ESPP workshops on Nutrient recycling policy
ESPP is developing input on future EU targets for phosphorus and nitrogen “reuse and recycling”, as specified in art. 20 of the recast EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive UWWTD (not yet adopted*) and invites to the following workshops on Nutrient recycling policy:
13th March 2024 – Policy tools to support market pull for recycled nutrients – Meeting objectives:
Identify policy tools to support market pull for recycled nutrients which could achieve consensus across industry and users.
The EU Green Deal 2019 mentions possible “legal requirements to boost the market for secondary raw materials, with mandatory recycled content” and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan 2020 refers to “stimulating the markets for recovered nutrients”. To date, there are no EU proposals.
Industry and user positions on possible market pull policy tools can differ. The aim of this meeting is to identify policies which could achieve consensus across recycled product producers (waste companies, recycling technology suppliers), industry and uses (fertilisers industries, distributers, farmers). And to discuss how to elaborate technical proposals to submit to policy makers.
14th March 2024 – Proposing UWWT Directive targets for P and N recovery – Meeting objectives:
To elaborate ambitious, feasible and consensus proposals for regulatory targets for phosphorus and nitrogen reuse-recycling from municipal wastewater.
This workshop aims to develop consensus proposals, to submit to the European Commission, and will discuss:
- what are feasible “rates” for P and for N recovery?
- how should these “rates” be defined? … as % of wwtp inflow? … as % in sludge? … as % in ash? … as recovery of P or N down to a certain residual level (per p.e.)? … other …?
- should the “rates” be different for wwtps of different size? different configuration? Before or after sludge energy valorisation / combustion ?
- definition of “reuse and recycling”? … Should this include treated sludge use in agriculture (biosolids to land). If so, under what conditions, e.g. quality / contaminants? plant nutrient availability? spreading according to crop nutrient requirements? CE or National fertiliser certification ?
- should “reuse” and “recycling” be addressed differently depending on context: size of wastewater treatment works, regional context …
- should quality/functional requirements should be specified for recovered nutrient products?
- other questions proposed by meeting participants
For more information on program and registration follow the links below.
