Grit from waste water could be recycled, initial trial suggests
Grit found in waste water could be recovered and sold for building material, a trial by Zero Waste Scotland and Scottish Water has found.
Grit enters the waste water system from road run-off into sewerage catchments and then passes into treatment plants. Three businesses were tasked with proving the grit – which would otherwise be sent at a cost to landfill – can be recovered and converted for use in products such as kerbstones.
Louise Mcgregor, head of circular economy at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “We can greatly reduce our carbon emissions by capturing materials and seeing their true worth.
“This is a fantastic example of finding a use and value from a substance that was viewed as waste.”
Trials will now take place where waste water grit will be put through tests to determine whether it meets strict “end of waste” criteria.
If successful, it should result in an estimated carbon saving of more than 70 per cent as the process means there will be less need to dig up “virgin materials” through energyintensive quarrying.