Summary Technology for the Circular Economy
Table of contents
PART I: Policy and regulation ............................................................................................. 1
1. Policy .................................................................................................................................. 1
2. Concepts and terminology .................................................................................................. 5
PART II: Products and assets .............................................................................................. 8
1. Life Cycle Assessment (guest lecture: Erasmo Cadena) ........................................................ 8
2. Alternative proteins (guest lecture: Myrsini Sakarika) ....................................................... 12
3. Vanheede Group (guest lecture: Dieter Grimmelprez) ....................................................... 18
PART III: Water ................................................................................................................ 20
1. Natural purification of surface waters ............................................................................... 20
2. Aerobic wastewater treatment ......................................................................................... 23
3. Drinking water .................................................................................................................. 28
4. Water reuse ...................................................................................................................... 34
PART IV: Recovery ............................................................................................................ 39
1. Recycling of complex waste streams (Umicore) ................................................................. 39
2. Energy ............................................................................................................................... 44
3. Anaerobic digestion .......................................................................................................... 50
4. Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) ................................................................................ 55
5. Solid waste ....................................................................................................................... 57
PART V: Ecosystem protection .......................................................................................... 61
1. Soil remediation and brownfield revaluation .................................................................... 61
0
,PART I: Policy and regulation
1. Policy
• The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this course focuses on:
- Good health and well-being - Climate action
- Clean water and sanitation - Life below water
- Affordable and clean energy - Life on land
- Industry, innovation & - Sustainable cities and communities
infrastructure - Responsible consumption and
production
Challenges
Challenge What is the problem? Causes
1: Water à Contamination of water bodies (lakes, rivers, • Industrial waste
pollution oceans, and groundwater) by harmful substances • Agricultural runoff
(= harmful to ecosystem & human health)
• Sewage disposal of
chemicals
• Waste products
2: Ocean water à Low and declining oxygen levels in open ocean • Anthropogenic
quality & coastal waters: affects processes nutrients
• Hypoxic areas: very
low 𝑂! availability
3: Access to safe à Many people are left without reliable access to /
drinking water clean and safe water for drinking & sanitation
4: Air pollution à Negative impact on: • Vehicle emissions
• Ecosystems & environment: climate change • Industrial activities
• Human health: respiratory problems • Burning of fossil
fuels
5: Ecosystem à Contamination of soil: affects: • Industrial waste
pollution: soil • Fertility • Chemicals
• Biodiversity • Improper waste
• Plant growth management
6: Solid waste à Household garbage, industrial waste,… • Inadequate
generated by human activities infrastructure for
proper disposal &
recycling
7: E-waste à Discarded electronic devices: hazardous • Improper disposal
substances (lead, mercury, cadmium) • Short production
lifespan
8: Biodiversity à Decline in variety (abundance) of living • Habitat destruction
loss organisms in an ecosystem • Pollution
Consequences:
• Climate change
• Clean water & air reduction
• Overuse of natural
• Decreased agricultural productivity resources
• Increased vulnerability to natural disasters
9: Nitrogen à Accumulation of excessive amounts of nitrogen Human activities:
excess Consequences: • Agriculture:
• Water pollution: contamination of water è fertilizers
eutrophication (= rapid growth of algae) è 𝑂! • Industrial processes
levels depletion è harm to aquatic life • Combustion of fossil
• Air pollution: smog, acid rain fuels
• Biodiversity impact: altering soil microbial
communities è affects nutrient cycling
1
, Challenge What is the problem? Causes
10: Energy à Relying on fossil fuels /
addiction Consequences:
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Non-renewable resource (coal, oil, natural gas)
depletion can lead to higher energy prices
11: CO2 à Rising temperatures • Release of CO2
emissions & Consequences: when burning fossil
climate change • More severe weather events fuels (coal, oil,
• Rise of sea levels natural gas): traps
• Loss of biodiversity heat in atmosphere
• Disruptions to ecosystems
12: Earth à Date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources & /
overshoot day services exceeds what the earth can regenerate in 1 year
Opportunities and solutions
• Consider the energy content of wastewater
- Wastewater contains organic matter that can be used to produce
renewable energy through processes like (an)aerobic digestion
- Able to make biogas, electricity, reduction of fossil fuel demand, …
• Rethinking the way we make things
- Focus on recycling resources
- Maximize reuse of (non-) renewable resources
- Minimize disposal and incineration of resources
• Regulatory focus based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Evaluate environmental impacts of a product/activity throughout its entire
life cycle
- Regulations that prioritize sustainability & minimize environmental impacts
à Cleaner production processes, renewable energy, reduction of waste…
• Rare metals
- Development of recycling programs to recover: indium, aluminiumsilicate,
lithium, graphite, magnesium, copper, nickel, tin, lead
• The EU Green Deal (2020)
- 100% cut in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 (climate neutral)
- 50% cut by 2030
- Circular economy: prescriptions on how to make & produce
resources/materials, focus on less materials & product reuse
- Zero pollution
- Ecosystems and biodiversity
• General framework
- Sustainability from economic POV: unaffordable? unrealistic?
- Circularity concept
o Economic losses: recycling/reuse instead of new production +
higher costs associated with redesigning products
o Economic gains: less waste + product innovation + job creation +
promotion of resource efficiency + lower production costs
- How much are we willing to pay for our environment: % of GDP?
à 3.2% of Belgian GDP (2nd highest in EU), 2.1% of European GDP
2
, Climate change
• COP conferences = international gatherings where countries come together to
discuss and negotiate actions to address climate change
- Organized by UNFCCC
- First one: Rio de Janeiro (1992)
- Last one: Belem (2025)
• Paris accord (2015): first comprehensive climate agreement
- Strive for global temperature increase < 1.5°C
- Increase capacity to adapt to climate change
- Transition to carbon-neutral and carbon-poor society
- Make financial flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse
gas emissions and climate-resilient development
• Effort sharing regulation: allocating greenhouse gas emission reduction
targets to individual countries
- Aimed at contributing to overall emission & reduction goals
- Distributing responsibilities among member countries
• Global CO2 emissions: China (30%), US (15%), India (9.5%), EU (4.9%)
• Climate tracker for countries (governments):
Critically insufficient (>4°C): commitments fall outside fair share
range, let alone the Paris agreement (< 1.5°C)
Highly insufficient (>3°C): commitments fall outside fair share range,
let alone the Paris agreement (< 1.5°C)
Insufficient (>2°C): commitments are in least stringent part of fair
share range, not consistent with the Paris agreement (< 1.5°C)
2° Compatible (>1.5°C): commitments are consistent with
Copenhagen 2°C goal (2009), not consistent with Paris agreement
1.5°C Paris agreement compatible: government’s efforts are in most
stringent part of fair share range, consistent with Paris agreement
Role model: government’s efforts are more than the fair contribution
- US: insufficient J Increase in wind & solar share in electricity mix
L Increased tariffs on imported solar cells
L Delays in reduced methane waste from oil & gas
à Everything depends on cities/states: individual
- China: highly J On track to meet 2030 objectives
insufficient J 40% of energy comes from renewables
L Peak in CO2 emissions reached in 2025
- EU: insufficient J Still global leader on climate policy
J Significant progress thanks to Green Deal
L 2030 target will not be reached
3
Table of contents
PART I: Policy and regulation ............................................................................................. 1
1. Policy .................................................................................................................................. 1
2. Concepts and terminology .................................................................................................. 5
PART II: Products and assets .............................................................................................. 8
1. Life Cycle Assessment (guest lecture: Erasmo Cadena) ........................................................ 8
2. Alternative proteins (guest lecture: Myrsini Sakarika) ....................................................... 12
3. Vanheede Group (guest lecture: Dieter Grimmelprez) ....................................................... 18
PART III: Water ................................................................................................................ 20
1. Natural purification of surface waters ............................................................................... 20
2. Aerobic wastewater treatment ......................................................................................... 23
3. Drinking water .................................................................................................................. 28
4. Water reuse ...................................................................................................................... 34
PART IV: Recovery ............................................................................................................ 39
1. Recycling of complex waste streams (Umicore) ................................................................. 39
2. Energy ............................................................................................................................... 44
3. Anaerobic digestion .......................................................................................................... 50
4. Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) ................................................................................ 55
5. Solid waste ....................................................................................................................... 57
PART V: Ecosystem protection .......................................................................................... 61
1. Soil remediation and brownfield revaluation .................................................................... 61
0
,PART I: Policy and regulation
1. Policy
• The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this course focuses on:
- Good health and well-being - Climate action
- Clean water and sanitation - Life below water
- Affordable and clean energy - Life on land
- Industry, innovation & - Sustainable cities and communities
infrastructure - Responsible consumption and
production
Challenges
Challenge What is the problem? Causes
1: Water à Contamination of water bodies (lakes, rivers, • Industrial waste
pollution oceans, and groundwater) by harmful substances • Agricultural runoff
(= harmful to ecosystem & human health)
• Sewage disposal of
chemicals
• Waste products
2: Ocean water à Low and declining oxygen levels in open ocean • Anthropogenic
quality & coastal waters: affects processes nutrients
• Hypoxic areas: very
low 𝑂! availability
3: Access to safe à Many people are left without reliable access to /
drinking water clean and safe water for drinking & sanitation
4: Air pollution à Negative impact on: • Vehicle emissions
• Ecosystems & environment: climate change • Industrial activities
• Human health: respiratory problems • Burning of fossil
fuels
5: Ecosystem à Contamination of soil: affects: • Industrial waste
pollution: soil • Fertility • Chemicals
• Biodiversity • Improper waste
• Plant growth management
6: Solid waste à Household garbage, industrial waste,… • Inadequate
generated by human activities infrastructure for
proper disposal &
recycling
7: E-waste à Discarded electronic devices: hazardous • Improper disposal
substances (lead, mercury, cadmium) • Short production
lifespan
8: Biodiversity à Decline in variety (abundance) of living • Habitat destruction
loss organisms in an ecosystem • Pollution
Consequences:
• Climate change
• Clean water & air reduction
• Overuse of natural
• Decreased agricultural productivity resources
• Increased vulnerability to natural disasters
9: Nitrogen à Accumulation of excessive amounts of nitrogen Human activities:
excess Consequences: • Agriculture:
• Water pollution: contamination of water è fertilizers
eutrophication (= rapid growth of algae) è 𝑂! • Industrial processes
levels depletion è harm to aquatic life • Combustion of fossil
• Air pollution: smog, acid rain fuels
• Biodiversity impact: altering soil microbial
communities è affects nutrient cycling
1
, Challenge What is the problem? Causes
10: Energy à Relying on fossil fuels /
addiction Consequences:
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Non-renewable resource (coal, oil, natural gas)
depletion can lead to higher energy prices
11: CO2 à Rising temperatures • Release of CO2
emissions & Consequences: when burning fossil
climate change • More severe weather events fuels (coal, oil,
• Rise of sea levels natural gas): traps
• Loss of biodiversity heat in atmosphere
• Disruptions to ecosystems
12: Earth à Date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources & /
overshoot day services exceeds what the earth can regenerate in 1 year
Opportunities and solutions
• Consider the energy content of wastewater
- Wastewater contains organic matter that can be used to produce
renewable energy through processes like (an)aerobic digestion
- Able to make biogas, electricity, reduction of fossil fuel demand, …
• Rethinking the way we make things
- Focus on recycling resources
- Maximize reuse of (non-) renewable resources
- Minimize disposal and incineration of resources
• Regulatory focus based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Evaluate environmental impacts of a product/activity throughout its entire
life cycle
- Regulations that prioritize sustainability & minimize environmental impacts
à Cleaner production processes, renewable energy, reduction of waste…
• Rare metals
- Development of recycling programs to recover: indium, aluminiumsilicate,
lithium, graphite, magnesium, copper, nickel, tin, lead
• The EU Green Deal (2020)
- 100% cut in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 (climate neutral)
- 50% cut by 2030
- Circular economy: prescriptions on how to make & produce
resources/materials, focus on less materials & product reuse
- Zero pollution
- Ecosystems and biodiversity
• General framework
- Sustainability from economic POV: unaffordable? unrealistic?
- Circularity concept
o Economic losses: recycling/reuse instead of new production +
higher costs associated with redesigning products
o Economic gains: less waste + product innovation + job creation +
promotion of resource efficiency + lower production costs
- How much are we willing to pay for our environment: % of GDP?
à 3.2% of Belgian GDP (2nd highest in EU), 2.1% of European GDP
2
, Climate change
• COP conferences = international gatherings where countries come together to
discuss and negotiate actions to address climate change
- Organized by UNFCCC
- First one: Rio de Janeiro (1992)
- Last one: Belem (2025)
• Paris accord (2015): first comprehensive climate agreement
- Strive for global temperature increase < 1.5°C
- Increase capacity to adapt to climate change
- Transition to carbon-neutral and carbon-poor society
- Make financial flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse
gas emissions and climate-resilient development
• Effort sharing regulation: allocating greenhouse gas emission reduction
targets to individual countries
- Aimed at contributing to overall emission & reduction goals
- Distributing responsibilities among member countries
• Global CO2 emissions: China (30%), US (15%), India (9.5%), EU (4.9%)
• Climate tracker for countries (governments):
Critically insufficient (>4°C): commitments fall outside fair share
range, let alone the Paris agreement (< 1.5°C)
Highly insufficient (>3°C): commitments fall outside fair share range,
let alone the Paris agreement (< 1.5°C)
Insufficient (>2°C): commitments are in least stringent part of fair
share range, not consistent with the Paris agreement (< 1.5°C)
2° Compatible (>1.5°C): commitments are consistent with
Copenhagen 2°C goal (2009), not consistent with Paris agreement
1.5°C Paris agreement compatible: government’s efforts are in most
stringent part of fair share range, consistent with Paris agreement
Role model: government’s efforts are more than the fair contribution
- US: insufficient J Increase in wind & solar share in electricity mix
L Increased tariffs on imported solar cells
L Delays in reduced methane waste from oil & gas
à Everything depends on cities/states: individual
- China: highly J On track to meet 2030 objectives
insufficient J 40% of energy comes from renewables
L Peak in CO2 emissions reached in 2025
- EU: insufficient J Still global leader on climate policy
J Significant progress thanks to Green Deal
L 2030 target will not be reached
3
