Water Reuse Europe’s Post

🌿✨ Exciting News! 📚 My First A1 Journal Publication is Out! I'm thrilled to share the release of my first journal paper, "Preliminary Research on Moss-Based Biocomposites as an Alternative Substrate in Moss Walls". It has been published in the Special Issue "Advances in Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Green Buildings" of the Journal “Sustainability” (IF 3.9, CiteScore 5.8). A heartfelt thank you to my amazing co-authors: Johan Blom, Bert Belmans, Anouk De Bock, Lars Van den Bergh and Amaryllis Audenaert. Also, a special thank you to BlueApp for their invaluable support in funding this research. 🌱 Context: Addressing urban air pollution is a critical challenge, prompting the exploration of mitigation strategies such as urban greening. However, certain innovative greening approaches, while promising, may inadvertently incorporate unsustainable elements that undermine their eco-friendly philosophy. 🔄 Scope: In this preliminary investigation, a crucial step is taken aiming to assess the feasibility of developing a circular bio-based plate as replacement for the existing microfiber filter substrate of an air-purifying “moss wall”. The emphasis lies on the potential of the plate to recycle moss from the system as raw material, ensuring structural integrity and the capacity to support its self-weight. 📖 Dive into the Future of Green Innovation!: Join us on this journey as we explore the potential of moss-based biocomposites in replacing petroleum-based filter substrates in outdoor air purification systems. Read the full publication here (open access): https://lnkd.in/ddQhabbz Your support means the world to us! Let's together pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future. 🌎💚 #GreenInnovation #Sustainability #ResearchPublication #MossBiocomposites #EMIB

🤔 Do you want to know more about how CIRSEAU cluster projects contribute to the water sector 🤝💧? We want to highlight the success and achievements 🏅 of B-WaterSmart Project, ULTIMATE Water EU , WIDER UPTAKE EU Project, WATER-MINING H2020 and REWAISE EU project within the celebration of March 22, #WorldWaterDay2024 👀 Don't miss them! 🙌 Today it's WIDER UPTAKE EU Project's turn. ♻ They are helping circularity with #rawmaterials recovery 🏡 They developed durable and maintenance-free #biocomposites for #building purposes, especially for facades. 💭 What do you think about their achievements? Name other water projects who are contributing to a more sustainable and circular water sector. #CIRSEAUcluster #europeanprojects #WorldWaterDay2024 #WaterForPeace #WaterCircularity #Sustainability

🌊 B-WaterSmart: Towards a Water-Smart Society 🌊 At the B-WaterSmart Project, KWR and partners developed two circular pilot projects in Flanders. These pilots explored how a water-smart economy and society can look in practice. The focus was on water reuse, energy recovery, and extracting valuable materials from wastewater. The pilots demonstrated that innovative, circular concepts can enhance the resilience of the water system and water supply on a regional scale. 🚰 Robust Drinking Water Treatment The Diksmuide/Woumen pilot explored how De Blankaart, De Watergroep's drinking water production centre, can be made more resilient to future climate change threats. The pilot showed that the village of Woumen's WWTP effluent, once purified, can serve as a reliable supplementary source for drinking water production. 🌾 Water Buffering for Agriculture In the Mechelen pilot, rainwater from a separated sewer system was collected and buffered in a new, smart-controlled basin. After purification, this buffered water became available for nearby agricultural fields. 📖 We now have a B-WaterSmart Magazine that includes all the outcomes of these projects. Check out the magazine: https://lnkd.in/e6V6fCHN. Gerard van den Berg | Geertje Johanna Pronk | Lisa Andrews | Caro Mooren | Christos Makropoulos | KWR Water Research Institute | De Watergroep | Aquafin NV | Stad Mechelen | Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt | VITO | Vlakwa #BTO #DrinkingWater #WaterSmart #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #ClimateResilience #InnovativeSolutions #WaterReuse #Agriculture #BWaterSmart #FutureProof

🌱 Join us for the Urban Circular Bioeconomy Webinar Series 2! 🌍 The #EU Bioeconomy Strategy envisions cities as vital #circular bioeconomy hubs, where biowaste transforms into safe and #sustainable bio-based products. Yet, few cities have initiated circular bio-based economy strategies or projects. In this series, experts from the HOOP Project will share insights and best practices to turn urban circular bioeconomy projects into reality. 1️⃣ Tune in for the first one and learn about cutting-edge technologies for bio-product production from biowaste and wastewater. 🌟 Gain valuable insights from municipal representatives implementing innovative technologies in their territories from Elisa Gambuzzi, CETENMA and Dr. Christoph Baumann, awm Abfallwirtschaftsbetriebe Münster. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eHWpSpyq #CircularEconomy #Bioeconomy #UrbanDevelopment #Sustainability #HOOPProject #WebinarSeries Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) European Commission

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗘𝗔 At Van der Hoeven, we are dedicated to pioneering sustainable solutions, with a strong focus on environmental impact. But why is this so important in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)? CEA involves growing crops in controlled environments. While the industry dialogue today often highlights carbon footprinting, which only concerns CO₂-equivalent emissions, our approach goes beyond that. 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 We are introducing Van der Hoeven’s comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), adding 15 additional environmental impact categories. We aim to provide a total overview of the environmental impact of a greenhouse over its lifetime, including the operational stage as well as the often overlooked construction stage. With Van Der Hoeven’s LCA, we can project how different design concepts perform in terms of CO2-equivalence and the additional environmental impact categories. This LCA puts all the tools into the hands of our clients to build the best, future-proof projects for them as well as the environment. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 Want to know more about our life cycle analysis? Our Sustainability Managers, Fatima M., Tim Tijsma & Jessie-Lynn van Egmond are ready to give you more insights at GreenTech Amsterdam (June 11-12-13). Visit our stand to learn how Van der Hoeven’s tools can help you take a step towards a sustainable future. Get your free entrance ticket via this link: https://lnkd.in/ebtmxqZj #VanderHoeven #GreenhouseTechnology #Sustainability #LifeCycleAnalysis #CEA

#PFAS on the spot as a class of synthetic #chemicals as major #environmental and #publichealth concern in Italy: persistent and bioaccumulative, posing significant #risks to human health and ecosystem. Veneto: epicenter of PFAS Pollution since 2013 high levels were detected in drinking water supplies of several municipalities in Vicenza and Padua provinces. Investigations revealed that the contamination was linked to industrial activities mainly from a chemical plant operated by the company Miteni. Over 350,000 people (estimated) have been exposed to PFAS-contaminated drinking water. High levels of PFAS in the blood of residents with some individuals exhibiting PFAS concentrations up to 20 times the national average. The health impacts of this exposure have been significant. Increased incidences of thyroid disorders, cholesterol abnormalities, and reproductive issues have been observed in the affected population. Researchers have also linked PFAS exposure to a higher risk of testicular and kidney cancer. In response the Veneto government has taken measures, including the provision of alternative water sources, the implementation of water treatment systems, and the establishment of a regional registry to monitor the health of exposed individuals. Emilia-Romagna: high levels detected in the groundwater and surface water in Parma, Piacenza, and Reggio Emilia provinces. Investigations have revealed that this contamination is likely the result of a combination of industrial activities, agricultural practices, and the historical use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams. Local government has implemented measures to monitor and address the issue, including the establishment of maximum PFAS limits in drinking water and the provision of alternative water sources to affected communities. Lombardia also emerged as an area with significant PFAS contamination. Elevated levels have been detected in drinking water supplies in Brescia and Monza-Brianza provinces. The sources contamination from industrial activities to the historical use of PFAS-containing products. Local government has taken steps to address this issue, including the implementation of water treatment systems and the establishment of a dedicated PFAS monitoring program. The country's widespread industrial and agricultural activities, coupled with the persistence and mobility of PFAS compounds, have led to extensive environmental contamination and public health concerns. The time to act is now as the long-term impacts of PFAS contamination continue to unfold, so a good way is to attend next RemTech Expo in Ferrara as Environmental Technology Hub, specialised in the themes of #remediation, #regeneration and #sustainable #development of territories. #mitigation #riskassessement #soilremediation #waterpollutedsolutions but also to deep dive into #PFAS as #accountability, #risksmanagement and solve misunderstanding around them. Fabio Colombo Remtech Europe Ambassador Lana Kukobat Marco Falconi

🌍 It's a big week for sustainability news! 🌍 We are incredibly proud to announce that our project was recognized as the winner in the Youth category at the Energy Globe Award Vienna 2024! In collaboration with Anna Winter and Marcel Mayer, we contributed to the development of a groundbreaking agricultural film that not only #conserves water and #reduces consumption in agriculture but is also #biodegradable and #compostable. 💧🌱 This film provides a #sustainablesolution to prevent water evaporation, particularly in warmer regions. Even better, its degradation improves soil quality, making it an innovation with significant potential for #agriculturalapplications and even #foodpackaging. ♻ The Energy Globe Award 🏆, globally known as the World Award for Sustainability, honours outstanding projects that promote environmental protection and sustainable development. We are thrilled to be part of this movement, proving that #ecology and #economy can work hand in hand. A big #thankyou to everyone involved and to the WKO Wien for this recognition. Together, we are paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future! 💚 #GabrielChemie #EnergyGlobeAward #Sustainability #Innovation #Agriculture #WaterConservation #Biodegradable #Compostable #EnvironmentalProtection #FutureOfPackaging

We are pioneering sustainable technology that harnesses the power of water fleas to remove persistent chemicals from wastewater, making it safe for reuse.   Read the story of how Professors Luisa Orsini and Karl Dearn developed their spinout Daphne Water Solutions, and how they are partnering with Stopford, Severn Trent, Mohamed Abdallah and other University of Birmingham colleagues to tackle water challenges in the latest case study report from The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB), 'Drops of Innovation': https://lnkd.in/dds3KRD2    #DropsOfInnovation