Safe Nutrient Recycling and Management
Course description
The aim of the course is to give the student knowledge in current waste and wastewater management techniques, with focus on technologies for plant nutrient recovery and reuse. Today, 75% of all biodegradable solid waste is landfilled or dumped and 90% of all wastewater generated is either not treated or only partially treated. In cases when the waste is treated, treatments are not focused on recycling, but rather removal, of plant nutrients, as they can otherwise risk to pollute the environment. If the plant nutrients in the waste and wastewater were collected they could replace 25-50% of the virgin resources used for production of chemical fertilisers used in agriculture. Looking at waste and wastewater as resources is a paradigm shift, and for this shift to happen new technologies and management systems are required. When closing the loop of nutrients there is a risk of recycling unwanted substances as well, e.g. heavy metals, organic micropollutants, pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Upon completion of the course the student should know the flow of waste and wastewater in society, possible treatment methods for closing the loop of nutrients and the associated risks associated with closed loop systems, as well as methods for mitigating circulation of unwanted substances.
Course facts
P000159, Safe Nutrient Recycling and Management, 5.0 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Valid from : First half-year 2026 (2026-01-01)
Level
Third cycle
Subject
Technology
Grading Scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Course language
English
Entry Requirements
### Prior knowledge
- 90 credits in natural science
Objectives
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
- Describe the sources, flows and characteristics of solid waste and wastewater and suggest methods for management of the different fractions.
- Compare in terms of process efficiency, environmental impact and system complexity, biowaste management technologies: composting, protein production and anaerobic digestion.
- Explain how conventional and circular management wastewater systems differs regarding technologies, nutrient recycling potential and environmental impact
- Evaluate and justify how circular waste and wastewater systems can be managed to mitigate risks associated with different waste and wastewater fractions.
Content
Module 1: Solid waste management
Module 2: Organic waste management – Composting, Anaerobic digestion, Protein production
Module 3: Wastewater – generation, composition and management, circular systems for wastewater management
Module 4: Risk and management – Pathogens and other contaminants/pollutants
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
To pass the course, students must participate in all seminars and submit the assignment for each module. The course will conclude with a final wrap-up seminar.
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of Energy and Technology
Supplementary information
Other Information
Course structure
The course will take place over two physical meetings at SLU in Uppsala. A Canvas course room will be opened for the course, where teaching materials will be uploaded (relevant literature, lecture videos, tutorials, etc.). Each module concludes with a 2–3-hour seminar. Clear instructions will be provided in Canvas on how to prepare for each seminar. The students are expected to be well-prepared before each seminar. The format of the seminars and thus preparation may vary, *e.g. *students may be asked to prepare a presentation, write a short report, or answer specific questions. All required material must be submitted before each seminar.
About the course:
This course is organized within the Sustainable biomass systems - food, energy and biomaterials (SBS) graduate school of the NJ faculty and will be given in collaboration with three researchers from the Department of Energy and Technology at SLU, Uppsala: Björn Vinnerås (module 1), Cecilia Lalander (module 2) and Annika Nordin (modules 3 and 4).