EPISODE FOUR: SHOW NOTES
Burden or benefit? Recovering resources from wastewater
Featuring Dr. Sasha Kramer, Maile Lono-Batura & Dr. Daniel Yeh
LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ◦ Spotify ◦ YouTube
LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ◦ Spotify ◦ YouTube
DESCRIPTION
What if wastewater could fuel our homes and feed our crops? In this episode of waste(d)water, host Kassie Morton dives into the transformative potential of domestic wastewater. Joined by Dr. Sasha Kramer (SOIL Haiti), Maile Lono-Batura (California Association of Sanitation Agencies), and Dr. Daniel Yeh (University of South Florida), we explore how biosolids and biogas can become renewable energy, sustainable fertilizer, and climate solutions. From cutting-edge tech like the NuGenerator to community-led models in Haiti, discover how circular sanitation can protect ecosystems, boost food security, and reduce emissions — while confronting challenges like PFAS contamination, financing, and public perception.
What if wastewater could fuel our homes and feed our crops? In this episode of waste(d)water, host Kassie Morton dives into the transformative potential of domestic wastewater. Joined by Dr. Sasha Kramer (SOIL Haiti), Maile Lono-Batura (California Association of Sanitation Agencies), and Dr. Daniel Yeh (University of South Florida), we explore how biosolids and biogas can become renewable energy, sustainable fertilizer, and climate solutions. From cutting-edge tech like the NuGenerator to community-led models in Haiti, discover how circular sanitation can protect ecosystems, boost food security, and reduce emissions — while confronting challenges like PFAS contamination, financing, and public perception.
KEY WORDS
wastewater management, biosolids, sustainable agriculture, resource recovery, sanitation technology, circular economy, environmental health, SOIL Haiti, NuGenerator, PFAS
wastewater management, biosolids, sustainable agriculture, resource recovery, sanitation technology, circular economy, environmental health, SOIL Haiti, NuGenerator, PFAS
AT A GLANCE
- Waste can be a valuable resource if managed properly.
- Biosolids can contribute to sustainable agriculture.
- Innovative technologies are transforming wastewater treatment.
- Haiti faces significant sanitation challenges due to poor infrastructure.
- SOIL Haiti is a model for sustainable sanitation practices.
- Regulatory frameworks need to adapt to emerging contaminants.
- Collaboration is key to solving wastewater issues.
- Public awareness of wastewater's value is essential.
- Future innovations in wastewater management are promising.
GUEST BIOS
Dr. Sasha Kramer is the Co-founder and Executive Director of SOIL Haiti. She’s an ecologist and human rights advocate who has been living and working in Haiti since 2004. She received her Ph.D. in Ecology from Stanford University in 2006 and co-founded SOIL that same year. Sasha is also a global advocate for the recycling of nutrients in human waste, helping others implement sustainable sanitation projects and inspiring people around the world to participate in the sanitation revolution.
Maile Lono-Batura is the Director of Renewable Resources with the California Association of Sanitation Agencies, and prior to this was the Director of Sustainable Biosolids Programs at the Water Environment Federation after serving as Executive Director of Northwest Biosolids for 22 years. She holds a B.A. in Community & Environmental Planning with an Environmental Studies Minor from the University of Washington, received her Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University, and is a Certified Compost Facility Operator through the Washington Organic Recycling Council and a Board-Certified Environmental Scientist with the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists Board (AAEES).
Dr. Daniel Yeh is a Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida where he leads the Membrane Biotechnology Laboratory, focused on the research and development of innovative wastewater treatment and resource recovery technologies. He is a LEED green building accredited professional, a registered professional engineer, and a board-certified environmental engineer. He is also a Visiting Professor at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in the area of regenerative water purification for space. One of Daniel’s most impactful inventions is the NEWgenerator a portable and self-contained solar-powered toilet system that converts the collected waste into renewable energy, fertilizer nutrients, and clean water that can be used for irrigation of crops.
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Value of Waste: A New Perspective on Human Excrement
02:48 Wastewater as a Resource: Exploring Circular Economy Solutions
05:47 Innovative Technologies in Wastewater Treatment
11:30 Real-World Applications: Success Stories in Waste Recycling
17:51 Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Sanitation
23:24 Regulatory Landscape: Navigating Biosolids Management
29:26 Emerging Contaminants: The PFAS Challenge
35:35 Future Directions: Scaling Up Resource Recovery Programs
41:28 Collaboration for Change: Building a Sustainable Future
EPISODE RESOURCES
Brief: Resource Recovery from Domestic Wastewater Ocean Sewage Alliance
Solution Space: Fertilizer Recovery
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Explore the solutionSolution Space: Resource Recovery
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Explore the Knowledge HubUnited Nations Environment Programme, 2023
Sustainable Sanitation in Haiti
Bill Gates Wants to Reinvent the Toilet The Daily Show, 2019 (Interview with Daniel Yeh)
Biosolids Communication Toolkit
Phosphate Fertilizer Crisis Threatens World Food Supply
Foodscapes: Toward Food System Transition
The Nature Conservancy / IIASA / SystemiQ, 2021
As Prices Soar, Japan Returns to Human Waste Fertilizer
Phys Org, 2023
Understanding Food Loss and WasteIshangulyyev et al., 2019
Water Environment Federation
Phosphate Fertilizer Crisis Threatens World Food Supply
The Guardian, 2019
Understanding Food Loss and Waste
School of Plant & Animal Science, Virginia Tech, 2011
CREDITSA History of Human Waste as Fertilizer
EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap
Something’s Poisoning America’s Land. Farmers Fear ‘Forever’ Chemicals
Zeldovich, 2019
Treatment Technologies for PFAS in Biosolids Garg et al., 2022
PFAS Substances in Biosolids
Treatment Technologies for PFAS in Biosolids Garg et al., 2022
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2021-2024
Forever Chemicals Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Limit Your Exposure
Wirecutter , 2024
New York Times, 2024
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Risk Assessment of Pollutants in Sewage Sludge
Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FAQ: Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Post-production services for waste(d)water provided by Two Aspen Audio. A special thank you to The Nature Conservancy Coda Fellows Sydney Bezanson and Juan Sebastián Gómez Gutiérrez for their contributions.