Center for Sustainable Infrastructure

Last week, I had the privilege of attending and speaking at the Circular Water Economy Summit in Dallas, Texas—an event that has quickly become one of my favorites among the various water-related conferences I attend. The summit successfully brought together stakeholders from both the water sector and the industries it serves for insightful discussions on collaborative solutions. One of the standout panels, moderated by Rhys Roth, focused on industrial symbiosis—a concept that, if you haven't explored yet, is truly fascinating. The panel highlighted significant efforts in the Pacific Northwest to promote industrial symbiosis. I was particularly pleased by the insights into Pasco's project, which leverages our algae-based technology to recover nitrogen on a large scale. Overall, the summit fostered constructive conversations on advancing the circular economy of water. It was encouraging to see such dedication to finding synergies between sectors and transforming what was once considered waste into valuable resources. Looking forward to continuing these important discussions and collaborations. Philip Gates, Steve Wirtel, Picture credit goes to the esteemed Roger Berry!

Another reflection from an Oregon state legislator who joined CSI on our most recent Industrial Symbiosis Study Tour: Representative Bobby Levy (R-58) was struck by Denmark's wastewater innovations and spirit of collaboration. In September, CSI will lead another delegation to Denmark, this time featuring wastewater professionals and agencies, to delve deeper into this topic and initiate a lasting knowledge exchange program to transfer best practices. If you would like to learn more, please visit https://lnkd.in/gYz5_ZsC

🏭🌱How can industrial symbioses contribute to reaching net-zero? This was the main topic of a discussion yesterday at the Water Environment Federation's Circular Water Economy Summit in Dallas, as our Advisor Benedikte Borg Pedersen attended a panel debate along with Mike Chapman, and Steve Worley, moderated by Rhys Roth. Here, Benedikte shared insights and perspectives from Danish industrial symbiosis projects with a particular focus on sustainable gains and the role of public and private partnerships, drawing on examples of projects in full scale by GreenLab and Kalundborg Symbiosis. Industrial symbiosis has the potential to create a green circular economy and is an innovative approach to traditional industry operations. By turning residual waste from one enterprise into a valuable resource at another, this approach creates socio-economic and environmental benefits for everyone involved, making it a possible valuable ingredient in the recipe for a more resilient future. 👏We want to thank Water Environment Federation and Maile Lono-Batura, BCES, MNPL for having us and to everyone involved in yesterday’s inspirational discussions on industrial symbiosis. 📸 Water Environment Federation #sustainability #circulareconomy #DenmarkinUSA #WorkingforDenmark

CSI’s Executive Director Rhys Roth facilitated a panel on industrial symbiosis at the Circular Water Economy Summit in Dallas, TX this week.  He was joined by WA Rep. Mike Chapman, City of Vancouver, WA’s Steve Worley, and Benedikte Pedersen from Denmark’s Embassy in the US. We are excited to see interest in Industrial Symbiosis gaining momentum in other parts of the U.S.!

Mark Gamba, Oregon State Representative (D-41) reflects on his experience with CSI on our most recent Industrial Symbiosis Study Tour. Denmark’s innovative thinking about tapping into underused waste streams points to potential solutions to some of our region’s and the world’s biggest challenges. “The way they’ve been able to retrofit their existing culture and society to solve problems for the future has just been mind blowing… I can’t wait to see how we can bring some of this back to the US and begin helping businesses collaborate”

It’s the start of a new week and we’re excited to share with you some thoughts from chris cummings, Deputy Director of Business Oregon. Upon learning about industrial symbiosis during our Denmark study tour, he sees great potential value for Oregon’s industry by thinking more collaboratively and symbiotically: “the best thing I’ve encountered here is the time spent with my colleagues, [we are collaborating] to see how we can make a difference in Oregon” Lucetta Elmer Mark Gamba Ken Helm Bobby Levy Margaret Magruder Courtney Neron Mark Owens Corky Collier Denny Elmer Jeff Hampton Laurie Hutchinson Ben Jacobsen Jim McCauley Lisa Mittelsdorf Melanie Olson Debbie Radie Debbie Deetz Silva Amy Wentworth Rhys Roth

Lucetta Elmer, Oregon State Legislator for District 24, joined CSI for our Oregon-Denmark Industrial Symbiosis Study Tour and shared her major takeaway from the trip: the value of having all voices at the table. "I love listening to how the Danes have incorporated all of those people to have a voice and work together". When we hold space for opposing views, we remove the silos and find solutions that can be beneficial for all parties. Mark Gamba Ken Helm Bobby Levy Margaret Magruder Courtney Neron Mark Owens Corky Collier chris cummings Denny Elmer Jeff Hampton Laurie Hutchinson Ben Jacobsen Jim McCauley Lisa Mittelsdorf Melanie Olson Debbie Radie Debbie Deetz Silva Amy Wentworth Rhys Roth

Lake County Commissioner, James Williams, joined CSI on our Oregon-Denmark Industrial Symbiosis Study Tour. Commissioner Williams discusses the importance of diversifying economic development to help smaller communities thrive. With the great example provided by GreenLab we see the potential for rural communities to create opportunities for both economic and environmental sustainability. Lucetta Elmer Mark Gamba Ken Helm Bobby Levy Margaret Magruder Courtney Neron Mark Owens Corky Collier chris cummings Denny Elmer Jeff Hampton Laurie Hutchinson Ben Jacobsen Jim McCauley Lisa Mittelsdorf Melanie Olson Debbie Radie Debbie Deetz Silva Amy Wentworth Rhys Roth Alexa Martin Del Campo Christina Østergaard

This Fall, September 22-28, CSI is hosting a weeklong Wastewater Symbiosis Study Tour to Denmark. We will bring 25 wastewater leaders from the Pacific Northwest on a weeklong study tour to meet and learn from Denmark's top wastewater symbiosis innovators. We hope you’ll consider joining us or will spread the word to those who might be interested! A limited number of scholarships will be available for smaller utilities (those serving populations of 75,000 or less). The deadline to apply is July 18th: https://lnkd.in/gYz5_ZsC 

Happy Monday folks! Debbie Radie, Chief Operating Officer of Boardman Foods, Inc., joins us to discuss her experience in Denmark on last month’s Industrial Symbiosis Study Tour. Like the facilities we toured in Denmark, businesses in Eastern Oregon are already making strides toward becoming more sustainable while maintaining profitability. Although we may be a few years behind Denmark, the PNW’s food and beverage industry is well positioned to take inspiration from Danish innovators like Arla Foods Ingredients. Lucetta Elmer Mark Gamba Bobby Levy Margaret Magruder Courtney Neron Ken Helm James Williams Mark Owens Corky Collier chris cummings Denny Elmer Jeff Hampton Laurie Hutchinson Ben Jacobsen Jim McCauley Lisa Mittelsdorf Melanie Olson Debbie Deetz Silva Amy Wentworth Rhys Roth Alexa Martin Del Campo Christina Østergaard