Latest news with #biosolids
The Guardian
14 hours ago
- General
- The Guardian
Waste disposal practices are harming the environment
Your article (Millions of tonnes of toxic sewage sludge spread on UK farmland every year, 7 July) gives some insight into the environmental impact of the practice and the paucity of regulatory control. The legal case had been made as far back as 2015 that the spreading of sewage sludge – which the water industry prefers to call 'biosolids' – should be brought under the potentially much tighter environmental permitting system that applies to the spreading of other industrial wastes applied to land for agricultural benefit. Not surprisingly, the very mention that sewage sludge be treated as a 'waste' drew strong resistance from water companies that feared a collapse in the market. However, this is only part of the story. The ban on dumping at sea, coupled with the move away from landfill, has seen a huge shift from putting waste in one place to smearing it in ever more discrete parcels over farmland and elsewhere, purportedly for ecological improvement. In additional to sewage sludge, there are construction waste soils, waste compost and anaerobic digestate, plus a range of non‑waste soil improvers deposited. Examples such as pig carcasses in compost on farmland testify to what some people will try to get away with if not properly regulated. While there may well be good examples of using treated waste to improve soil, the cumulative environmental burden of the range of practices is largely unchecked and GalvinFormer policy adviser, Environment Agency and Defra There is a £6m research project studying the use of pyrolysis on sewage sludge that should assist in sequestering carbon in the soil and which may reduce pollutants like Pfas – so-called 'forever chemicals'. The project undertaken by Thames Water, Ofwat and other collaborators aims to deliver a continuous flow system that could be widely deployed, and the research is due to complete in 2027. If successful, this technology would allow our sewage sludge to be used as an agricultural input while meeting our wider needs to reduce pollution and climate emissions. However, we will need to further invest in our water-treatment system. Can the privatised water industry meet the challenge?Andrew WoodOxford Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Sedron Appoints David Schneider as Vice President of Development
Seasoned infrastructure expert to lead municipal biosolids strategy for Varcor® expansion. SEDRO-WOOLLEY, WA / ACCESS Newswire / July 8, 2025 / Sedron, a leader in advanced water and waste upcycling solutions, today announced the appointment of David Schneider as Vice President of Development - Municipal Biosolids. With over 25 years of experience in market development and operations management for water, energy, and waste infrastructure, Schneider will drive Sedron's municipal biosolids initiatives, advancing the company's mission to transform waste processing into resource recovery for agricultural, municipal, and industrial Schneider In his role as Vice President of Development - Municipal Biosolids, Schneider will lead strategic growth efforts for Sedron's biosolids projects, leveraging his extensive expertise in environmental infrastructure, project finance, and stakeholder engagement. His appointment strengthens Sedron's ability to deliver innovative biosolids solutions, such as those enabled by the Varcor® system, to produce climate-smart commodities like renewable energy and clean water. After 10 years developing and managing public-private partnerships for operation and maintenance of municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, Schneider joins Sedron from Inframark, where he served as Vice President of Development, leading business development for municipal water infrastructure operations and maintenance. In his first year, he secured several public-private partnerships, with a total contract value of $293 million, and built a near-term pipeline exceeding $250 million. His earlier role at Anaergia saw him establish the company's California market presence, developing large-scale design-build-own-operate-maintain (DBOOM) projects, including the first in North America to process municipal solid waste for organics extraction and codigestion at wastewater treatment plants. 'I'm excited to join Sedron and contribute to its groundbreaking work in municipal biosolids and resource recovery,' said Schneider. 'The opportunity to implement Sedron's innovative technologies that turn biosolids into valuable resources aligns perfectly with my passion for sustainable infrastructure, and I look forward to driving impactful projects with Sedron's talented team.' 'David's deep expertise in environmental infrastructure and proven success in developing complex, high-value projects make him an invaluable addition to Sedron,' said Stanley Janicki, Chief Commercial Officer of Sedron. 'His leadership will accelerate our municipal biosolids initiatives, helping us deliver sustainable solutions that meet the growing needs of our customers and the planet.' Schneider holds an MBA with Beta Gamma Sigma honors in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University. About Sedron Founded in 2014 and headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, Sedron designs, manufactures, installs, and operates advanced water and waste upcycling technologies. With a focus on transforming the paradigm from waste processing to resource recovery, Sedron works with agricultural, municipal, and industrial customers to process their 'waste' into climate-smart commodities through environmentally and financially sustainable methods. For more information, please visit Contact InformationBrian Hart Communications Strategist (866) 225-0920 ext. 101 SOURCE: Sedron press release
