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An Assessment of the Drivers and Barriers for the Deployment of Urban Phosphorus Recovery Technologies: A Case Study of The Netherlands

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  • Marissa A. De Boer

    (Van’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, NL-1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Anjelika G. Romeo-Hall

    (Van’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, NL-1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Tomas M. Rooimans

    (Van’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, NL-1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • J. Chris Slootweg

    (Van’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, NL-1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Phosphorus (P), being one of the building blocks of life, is essential for a multitude of applications, primarily for fertilizer usage. Sustainable management of phosphorus is becoming increasingly important in light of adverse environmental effects, ambiguous reserves, increasing global demand and unilateral dependence. Recovery of phosphorus from the biggest loss stream, communal wastewater, has the potential to tackle each of these problems. The implementation of phosphorus recovery technologies at wastewater treatment plants is not widespread, despite prolonged efforts primarily done by researchers over the past decade. This study aimed to assess the drivers and barriers of a phosphorus recovery transition. Several key stakeholders involved in this transition in The Netherlands were interviewed. The Netherlands was taken as a case study, since it serves as a frontrunner in the implementation of phosphorus recovery technologies. This study shows that the main barriers from the point of view of fertilizer companies are the different and unclear characteristics of the phosphorus recovery product struvite compared to common fertilizers. Moreover, the end-of-waste status of struvite is mentioned as a prominent barrier for a phosphorus transition, since it hinders free market trade. Many water boards indicate that the main barrier is the high investment cost with an uncertain return on investment for onsite struvite recovery processes. The specified main driver for water boards for onsite struvite phosphorus recovery technology is the reduction of maintenance costs, and for phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge ash, the low organic pollutant in the P recovery product.

Suggested Citation

  • Marissa A. De Boer & Anjelika G. Romeo-Hall & Tomas M. Rooimans & J. Chris Slootweg, 2018. "An Assessment of the Drivers and Barriers for the Deployment of Urban Phosphorus Recovery Technologies: A Case Study of The Netherlands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:6:p:1790-:d:149612
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kathrin Hasler & Hans-Werner Olfs & Onno Omta & Stefanie Bröring, 2016. "Drivers for the Adoption of Eco-Innovations in the German Fertilizer Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Dana Cordell & Stuart White, 2011. "Peak Phosphorus: Clarifying the Key Issues of a Vigorous Debate about Long-Term Phosphorus Security," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(10), pages 1-23, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mohammad A. T. Alsheyab & Sigrid Kusch-Brandt, 2018. "Potential Recovery Assessment of the Embodied Resources in Qatar’s Wastewater," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Lisa Harseim & Benjamin Sprecher & Cathrin Zengerling, 2021. "Phosphorus Governance within Planetary Boundaries: The Potential of Strategic Local Resource Planning in The Hague and Delfland, The Netherlands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-21, September.
    3. Ashton W. Merck & Khara D. Grieger & Alison Deviney & Anna-Maria Marshall, 2023. "Using a Phosphorus Flow Diagram as a Boundary Object to Inform Stakeholder Engagement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-10, July.
    4. Anna Jama-Rodzeńska & Piotr Chohura & Bernard Gałka & Anna Szuba-Trznadel & Agnieszka Falkiewicz & Monika Białkowska, 2022. "Effect of Different Doses of Phosgreen Fertilization on Chlorophyll, K, and Ca Content in Butterhead Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) Grown in Peat Substrate," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-11, May.
    5. P. J. A. Kleinman & R. D. Harmel, 2024. "Grappling with the success and trade-offs of global nutrient redistribution," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(12), pages 29793-29811, December.
    6. Luca Adami & Marco Schiavon, 2021. "From Circular Economy to Circular Ecology: A Review on the Solution of Environmental Problems through Circular Waste Management Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, January.
    7. Gerald Steiner & Bernhard Geissler, 2018. "Sustainable Mineral Resource Management—Insights into the Case of Phosphorus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-8, August.
    8. Augusto Bianchini & Jessica Rossi, 2020. "An Integrated Industry-Based Methodology to Unlock Full-Scale Implementation of Phosphorus Recovery Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-17, December.

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