Membrane-Coupled Fungi Reactor - An innovative approach to biotreatment of hazardous dye wastewater
Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.
Marketplace: Who else is addressing the problem outlined here? How does the proposed project differ from these approaches?
, OU, Oulu
Less than a year
Mycologist Paul Stamets treated fecal waste with mycelium of antibiotic fungi. His experiment treating oil-polluted soil by white rot mushroom was also a success. The stinky black soil became oasis of life. The use of enzymes to make dyes biodegradable has been studied. Hai Faisal's research of membrane reactor with fungi showed impressive results in treating dye wastewater.
Inspired by these experiments and shocked by severe water pollution in China when working in water treatment company JDL.Ltd, I determined to change this situation. The wastewater is not discharged to rivers in any developed country. Why should it be in China? The first step to create sustainable living is to treat water. The most important thing for life.
Sanitation and Hygiene, Water, Waste, Sustainable Agriculture.
Idea of green choice apparel supply chain is promoted. We see it as a sustainable challenge and an opportunity.
Textile manufactures will be our main customers. First, we will cooperate with Green Choice Alliance NGOs to pressure international brands to choose green manufactures. Second, we will collaborate with local villagers to supervise the treatment efficiency. Third, we will educate factories to treat water and help them to understand the beneficiaries of positive environment performance.
Governments are setting strict standards and increasing the cost of violation. Local villagers are protesting against pollution of rivers. Biological treatment of hazardous dye wastewater is a cost-competitive and ecofriendly alternative to conventional chemical treatment. If implemented well, we will achieve considerable positive impacts on sustainable living:
First, River in Xintang, cadmium concentrations were 128 times above China’s environmental standards. Cadmium exposure can cause such as kidney and lung disease. After water treated properly, we estimate decrease in reproductive and fertility problems and other health problems.
Second, some factories that violate environmental regulations are part of the supply chains of major apparel brand; we expect to change this.
Third, the ecosystem begin its restoration in absence the of toxic pollution.
Consumers start to buy sustainable manufactured clothing and apparel. Brands establish a system of environmental management of their printing and dyeing suppliers. Treating wastewater becomes a must do for textile factories. This creates a potential market for us:
Within next 2 years, our project will be the first to implement this method to treat water in developing countries. Primary, we will start in villages in China where suffered deeply from textile industries. Our team will negotiate with local governments to gain support and then we will educate both locals and factories the waste water treating methods. If success, we will build up our network in countries like India, and Bangladesh to spread our sustainable living movement.
We connect textile factories, brands, customers, and locals. Educating factories to treat water is our goal. Meanwhile we offer reports to brands regarding environment performance of their suppliers and call attention from customers.
Profits therefore will come from several parts: water treatment solutions for the textile companies; consulting service for both manufactures and textile brands that look for sustainable suppliers.
Traveling all around world has made me see the reality- the huge gap between the rich and the impoverished. In some rural regions in Asia, clean water is out of reach for many locals there. As a chemistry student from Finland, I wonder what’s the use of my “privileged knowledge” if I live without making any changes for the world?
Here I took my initiative and started this project to make impossible possible.