Waste does not exist, Professor Tânia Vasconcelos Fernandes says in inaugural address
The global population’s excessive consumption has led to decreased water quality, deteriorated soils and biodiversity loss, Tânia Vasconcelos Fernandes, Professor of Ecotechnologies for Circular Economy at IHE Delft and Wageningen University and Research (WUR) said in her inaugural address. Yet, she said, she remains optimistic for a better future.
Speaking during her 18 October inauguration ceremony at WUR, she envisioned a future in which “waste does not exist because we have learned from nature that everything is circular - the waste of one is the resource of the other.”
New generation demands change
Several actors working for a better future makes her a “hopeless optimist” despite a reality that has seen water consumption increasing five-fold over 50 years – a gigantic leap related to “disruptive consumption with little concern for the earth-carrying capacity.”
“I see the new generation – the upcoming workforce – shouting for change; change in the way we address equality (gender, race and opportunities), and equity (finances, resources). Changing to more environmentally friendly consumer goods and teaching their parents and grandparents to change as well,” she said, adding that her optimism also is fed by the UN’s push for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Union’s work to promote climate neutrality, halt biodiversity loss and implement a circular economy.
“I see many public organizations and companies with strategies to innovate, making their industries more sustainable, due to legislation enforcement, social pressure or just intrinsic motivation,” she said. “And I see us, researchers and educators, trying to create technological innovations and guiding principles that help the world to progress sustainably. So, let us build on that positivity and not be demotivated by the lack of long-term vision of our governments.”
"We first need to reduce – endless growth is not synonymous with progress. We need to use less water and use it properly."
Wastewater is water & resources
Wastewater is really a misnomer, Vasconcelos Fernandes said. Water starts clean but, through human usage, ends up contaminated with compounds that need to be removed so that it can re-enter the water cycle. Some elements, such as PFAs, are so difficult to remove that they should not be used in the first place.
“Actually, 99% of municipal waste water is just water that can be reclaimed after treatment for irrigation of agricultural fields, parks and gardens, for use in industries as production water, for mitigation against salt intrusion, for non-potable domestic use and for other uses,” she said.
Discussing her research on using microalgae and photogranules to recover resources from wastewater, Vasconcelos Fernandes said she and other researchers need to keep on developing and combining technologies that can improve resource recovery in an efficient, reliable and sustainable way. Still, there are challenges, including legislation and public acceptance, she added:
“To prevent the emotional response of unwillingness to reuse, people need to be well informed on the sources of water, the technologies to be applied and the risks involved. Additionally, we need to increase the awareness of resource recovery from waste streams and its importance in the circular economy,” she said.
Use less water
But focusing on technology alone won’t suffice, she cautioned: “We first need to reduce – endless growth is not synonymous with progress. We need to use less water and use it properly,” she said. She also criticized the wasteful practice of flushing toilets with drinking water, and highlighted the importance of non-sewered sanitation, which she argued deserves as much attention and investments as piped solutions. She also called for a change from linear to circular systems and a stop to the production of harmful chemicals.
“As society, we also need to demand better quality and more sustainable value chains of our consumer goods, so companies and governments adopt long-term policies and strategies for ensuring the longevity of the resources,” she said.
“And finally, we need to work together – the problems are complex and urgent, so we need all of our knowledge and capabilities from all different disciplines and expertise to make the circular economy a reality. Let’s joint forces and make the positive progress we need!”
Vasconcelos Fernandes joined IHE Delft in 2024. She is an Environmental Engineer with a PhD in Environmental Technology from WUR. Prior to joining IHE Delft, she was head of the Microalgae Ecotechnological Solutions Research Unit at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW).
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