iwmi resources recovery and reuse - from research to uptake

www.iwmi.orgWater for a food-secure world

Johannes Paul, PhDResearcher – Integrated Waste Management

IWMI Headquarter – Colombo, Sri Lanka

IWMI – Resources Recovery and ReuseFrom research to uptake

Brief on the ongoing BMZ funded project

‘Research and capacity building for inter-sectorial private sector engagement for soil rehabilitation’

WLE RRR Flagship IWMI Research division

Three activity clusters/subthemes1. Business opportunities for RRR (e.g. business model development,

feasibility studies, piloting PPP, testing recovered resources, etc.)2. Safe wastewater use: risk assessment, risk mitigation, economics,

behavior change; with WHO, FAO, UNU, UNEP.3. Challenges of urbanization for water and land management in urban

and peri-urban areas (e.g. GlobE - UrbanFood+ )

The new BMZ project is mapped under subtheme 1.


Subtheme 1 - What we did so far:Analyzing and developing RRR business solutions

• 150+ business cases screened• 60 cases with in-depth analysis• 22 business models developed• Feasibility studies in 10 cities


RRR Business model catalog in work

Special focus area:Fecal Sludge Management (FSM)

Comparison of 18 additional Business Models


FSM cases as input(RRR report series in print)


Previous research by IWMIResearch focus in Ghana from 2000 to date (95 % onsite sanitation); extended to India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in 2011– Direct application of urine to soil– Land application of FS– Extended storage and drying of FS– Composting of Feces– Co-composting of FS and solid waste– Fortification (blending) of fecal compost with fertilizer– Agronomic trials (crop and soil response, safety)


visibility line


Circular Economy

Switch from Linear supply flows to

Agriculture: decreasing organic matter, soil deterioration, decreasing yields, increasing use of chemical fertilizer

Solid waste management: predominating waste disposal, lack of waste treatment options, low quality of recycling products

Sanitation: Lack of central sewerage systems, scattered on-site sanitation systems, uncontrolled septage collection, lack of treatment facilities, uncontrolled disposal of FS from tank cleaning

Main challenges

linking inter-sectorial challenges and capacity building


Framework of research project

Goal: Increased business thinking and private sector engagement in RRR to enhance soil health and resilient ecosystem services by returning organic carbon and nutrients to agricultural used soils in low-income countries.

Purpose: To develop curricula for innovative RRR technologies and investment models that transfer organic waste into organic fertilizer for different soils, crops and climates in South Asia.

Countries involved: Sri Lanka; additionally to facilitate outreach and investments India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Laos and Myanmar

Target group: Young entrepreneurs, future leaders, practioners

Beneficiaries: Farmers provided with GAP and natural fertilizers


Main envisioned outcomesOutcome 1: Technical guidelines for co-composting and producing safe fecal sludge-based fertilizer pellets (IWMI, Wayamba)

Outcome 2: Guidelines and Farmers handbook on safe pellet application (Bochum & Wayamba)

Outcome 3: Country investment briefs, policy recommendations (ZEF Bonn)

Outcome 4: Curricula for students and RRR practioners (University Cambridge)

1: Technical research

Main field of activities

2: Verification of soil & crop responses; fertilizer value

3: Investment climate analysis

4: Curricula development

Framework of research project Goal: Increased business thinking and private sector engagement in RRR to enhance soil health and resilient ecosystem services in peri-urban areas by returning organic carbon and nutrients to agricultural used soils in low-income countries.


Outcome 1: Technical research (co-composting, pellets)

• FS treatment, e.g. drying beds

• Verification of suited input materials

• Co-composting (process, quality)

• Pelletization (grinding, binding, enriching)

• clarification fertilizer properties (NPK, pathogens,

organic matter, size, density, pellet strength etc)

• Formulation of production guidelines

FS

SW FS


• Testing of various fertilizer mixtures (fertilizer quality,

application properties)

• Testing of various crops (short-, medium, longterm)

• Open field and greenhouse trials

• Trials for various weather/climate conditions

• Farmers perception surveys including gender aspects

• Formulation of application guidelines

Outcome 2: Verification of fertilizer value and safe application


• Expert consultations (chamber of commerce,

donor and sector organizations, farmer associations)

• Multi-criteria analysis (regulatory framework, legal,

finance, gender, governance RRR market

• Data synthesis & country briefs

Outcome 3: Investment climate analysis

Outcome 4: Curriculum development

• Development of syllabi and curricula

• Selection of suited cases and business models

• Use of research outcomes from activities 1-3

• Testing of curricula & course institutionalization


Impact pathways


Many Thanks for your attention !

Johannes Paul, PhDResearcher – Integrated Waste ManagementIWMI Headquarter – Colombo, Sri LankaPhone: (+94) 11 – 288 1339Skype: johannes.paul.colomboFax: (+94) 11 278 6854Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

iwmi resources recovery and reuse - from research to uptake

Environment