Innovation procurement as a catalyst for wastewater circularity

Purpose and goal:

The goal was to create conditions for utilizing recycled wastewater. We also explored how procurement can stimulate innovation in urban symbiosis.

The project identified opportunities for reusing greywater and nutrients, as well as obstacles hindering utilization, such as lack of interaction between actors and uncertainties about basic conditions. This formed the basis for the Circular Challenge Brief, which will support ongoing dialogue and collaboration.

Expected results and effects:

Greywater: Potential for reuse in irrigation, swimming pools, and drinking water. Recommended dialogue with RecoLab, environmental department, H+ and Länsstyrelsen.

Nutrients: The city and municipal companies should clarify their roles in the circular network, potentially acting as development partners for struvite and ammonium sulfate test products.

Expected outcome: Increased utilization of recycled wastewater, spread to other cities, and enhanced innovation capacity around the city´s testbeds. Approach and implementation:

A scoping phase was conducted based on the demand acceleration framework. Key questions were: Where do supply and demand best meet? How to create the best conditions for ongoing development? How to design a process to stimulate industrial symbiosis in other contexts?

12 interviews were conducted, along with a kickoff and learning forum involving departments and municipal companies, including Recolab and Recopark.