First prize winner in category Green Transition and Sustainability in EPSA 2023-24
Context
Waterschap Brabantse Delta has firmly anchored innovation in its policy in cooperation with other water boards (De Dommel, Wetterskip Fryslân, Scheldestromen and Hollandse Delta). This innovative effort is not only limited to technological advances in water management, but extends to stimulating broader circular thinking within the organisation. The PHA2USE project arose in response to the urgent need to find sustainable solutions to the growing environmental problems caused by plastic waste. The innovative character of PHA2USE is particularly reflected in the development of Caleyda as a natural plastic substitute. Traditional plastic waste poses a growing threat to the environment, and the project presents an exciting and groundbreaking solution. By transforming waste water into a valuable raw material, Caleyda not only offers a sustainable alternative to plastic, but also contributes to reducing dependence on oil as a raw material.
Objectives
The main objectives of the PHA2USE project are to reduce the dependence on oil as a raw material by developing a sustainable alternative to plastic, and to rectify environmental and health hazards caused by microplastics. In doing so, the project aspires to be a catalyst for a broader change in thinking about waste water. By focusing on the development of a natural plastic substitute, the water boards concerned not only want to address specific environmental problems, but also create a model for the reuse of valuable raw materials that would otherwise be lost. A crucial aspect of the objectives is the scaling up of the project. The construction of a demonstration installation marks a step towards large-scale production. This scaling-up effort is aimed not only at confirming Caleyda’s viability as a large-scale raw material, but also at creating a blueprint that can be adopted by other water managers. The water boards recognise the urgency of the many issues that exist for water management, from the necessary improvements to water quality, limiting the effects of climate change, to an even more sustainable society. Innovation is a crucial means of responding to this. In cooperation with other authorities, knowledge institutes and companies, the water boards created a fertile breeding ground for innovative solutions.
Implementation
The PHA2USE project is based on collaboration governance arrangements including five water boards, Paques Biomaterials (a private actor) and HVC (public actor: energy and waste water). Hence, project partners had to develop mutual trust to facilitate the technological innovation and to pave the way for upscaling the project to a scale which lends itself to ‘marketisation’ of the technology as a viable replacement for plastics in various applications for which there is sustainable demand from end users. To this end, the project had to overcome various obstacles in terms of legal framework and funding, as well as technical and organisational capacities. The success of PHA2USE is based on effective implementation, supported by a sound budget, staff allocation and a well-thought-out governance and management structure. The involvement of five water boards, public recycling companies and biomaterial companies emphasises the need for public–private partnerships in such ambitious projects. The budget is strategically tailored to the requirements of the project, with a specific allocation for the construction and operation of the demonstration installation. The staff allocation is aimed at a multi-disciplinary team, bringing together expertise from different stakeholders. The active involvement of employees and directors through platforms such as WInnovation creates a dynamic and inspiring environment for innovation.