10 WasteTech topics worth considering in 2023

1.???Waste-to-energy: As the world seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, waste-to-energy technologies that convert waste into electricity, heat, or fuel are becoming increasingly popular. These technologies can help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and provide a source of renewable energy. Not all these projects are “green” but older ones are using proven technologies and are a step in the right direction. A friend / business associate is heading a fantastic project out of Indonesia converting used tyres into diesel to service echo-tourism leisure boats (currently capital raising).

2.???Recycling and resource recovery: As resources become increasingly scarce, it's important to find ways to recover and reuse them. This includes not just traditional recycling methods, but also newer technologies like chemical recycling, which can break down materials like plastic into their component parts, making them easier to reuse. In 2021, we worked for UBQ, a company converting 95%+ of household waste into bioplastics. Great company with great potential.

3.???Plastic waste reduction: Plastic waste is one of the most visible and well-known types of waste, and it's a major contributor to environmental pollution. Strategies to reduce plastic waste, such as using biodegradable plastics and banning single-use plastics, are increasingly being implemented around the world. In several Swiss cantons, plastics are separated already at household level, we fill a 100l bag per week, this says a lot as to the ground to cover when addressing single-use plastics.

4.???Waste water treatment: Waste water, or sewage, is generated by households, industry, and agriculture, and it can contain a variety of contaminants. Waste water treatment technologies, such as biological treatment processes and membrane filtration, are used to remove these contaminants and make the water safe to reuse or discharge into the environment. Back in December 2021, I was working for a company (Biomicrogel) developing great technics to decontaminate water. The only issue was that the company was from Russian origins with a large portion of their market still in Russia.

5.???Smart waste management: Smart waste management technologies, such as sensors and analytics, are being used to improve waste collection and processing efficiency. These technologies can help to optimize routes, reduce fuel consumption, and improve the overall efficiency of waste management systems. All through 2022, I witnessed very interesting start-ups specifically in this field.

6.???Landfill mining: Landfill mining involves excavating and sorting through old landfills in order to recover valuable materials and reduce the amount of waste in the landfill. This can be a cost-effective way to reduce waste and recover valuable resources. Landfills should be a thing of the past.

This one is carried-over from yesterday’s (agtech) and Tuesday’ (foodtech) blog.

7.???Food waste reduction: Food waste is a significant contributor to the global waste problem, with an estimated one third of all food produced going to waste. Technologies and strategies to reduce food waste, such as better packaging and distribution systems, could have a major impact on waste reduction efforts.

The last 3 are areas I focus less on

8.???E-waste recycling: Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a rapidly growing problem due to the short lifespan of electronic devices and the hazardous materials they contain. E-waste recycling programs and technologies are crucial for safely disposing of these materials and preventing them from ending up in landfills.

9.???Medical waste management: Medical waste, which includes things like used needles and infectious materials, requires special handling to prevent the spread of disease. Technologies like autoclaves and sterilization equipment are used to safely dispose of medical waste.

10.?Zero waste initiatives: Zero waste initiatives aim to eliminate waste altogether, rather than just managing it. This can be achieved through a combination of prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting.

This section is common to all my posts.

·????????The background colour changes with every blog otherwise you could have the impression it is the same one reposted over-and-over-again. I use background colours taken from watch straps and Apple Watch straps available on my wife’s website (www.maytwenty.com ).

·????????The content is going to reflect things that keep me awake at night (most of the time, I wake-up and don’t go back to sleep…).

·????????Being a contact on LinkedIn is just the beginning and not “une fin en soi” (be an end in itself). I am posting in the hope to start discussions that will result in business.?