Joint steps to safe nutrient recycling
In 2020, the Baltic Sea Region will have a Regional Nutrient Recycling Strategy. The Strategy will be drawn up by HELCOM, according to the vision and objectives endorsed at the Heads of Delegation meeting in Helsinki in June. The week before, stakeholders gathered in Gdańsk at the 10th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, in a two day event under the title Reduce, reuse, rethink.
SuMaNu participated in a seminar “Safe nutrient recycling for cleaner Baltic Sea”, where the coordinator of the platform, Minna Sarvi from Luke presented the platform project and examples on nutrient management. Along with SuMaNu, the seminar included presentations by HELCOM, the BSR WATER platform and a panel discussion. The discussions addressed nutrient recycling in the waste water sector, agriculture and between the sectors.
In agriculture, the greatest potential for nutrient recycling and replacing mineral fertilisers with organic recycled nutrients is in targeting regions with intensive livestock production and nutrient surpluses. However, regulative, economic and market incentives are needed to accelerate shift to circular economy in this segment. The positive side is that the paths are now more open than ever. With the vision and boost from the HELCOM Regional Nutrient Recycling Strategy, the two Interreg-funded platforms and the EUSBSR policy areas Nutri and Hazards have the capacity to convene the required knowledge and actions. Nutrient recycling is also a priority goal on the broader European scene, where, for instance, actors like the European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform (ESPP) and Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG) have been instrumental in driving constructive dialogue and ensuring that nutrients are included the EU’s Circular Economy policies. The new EU Fertiliser Products Regulation exemplifies this progress and provides an EU level framework to advance safe nutrient recycling.
A summary of the Safe nutrient recycling seminar at the EUSBSR Annual Forum along with four presentations are available on the website of the forum:
HELCOM nutrients recycling strategy – the current state, Dmitry Frank-Kamenetsky
BSR WATER Solutions to enhance recycling of nutrients in waste water sector, Taavo Tenno
SuMaNu platform – nutrient management examples, Minna Sarvi
Photos above: Erkki Oksanen/Luke