Business models for sustainability transitions in resource-oriented wastewater management

Abstract

The wastewater sector only pursues the goals of resource efficiency and circularity to a limited extent. Nevertheless, there are technical systems, so-called resource-oriented sanitation systems (ROSS), which would enable greater resource efficiency and resource utilisation. These have so far remained a niche innovation and have not been widely implemented in the sector. To support a transition in the sector, a shift in perspective for wastewater companies would be desirable. This shift would move away from a public company primarily focused on providing services of general interest, towards a company that efficiently uses partial wastewater flows to manufacture various marketable products. To achieve this, wastewater companies could adopt various business models (BMs). For the successful establishment of BM, the demand for wastewater products must first be considered and then the technical system developed around the product demand. However, there is currently a lack of scientific studies that systematically demonstrate BMs based on ROSS products. This paper presents a comprehensive development of 11 distinct BMs for ROSS products, utilizing the Business Model Canvas (BMC) framework along with its necessary extension for public sector applications. To demonstrate the practical application of this approach, one BM is selected to illustrate the entire development process, highlighting the integration of sustainable principles in wastewater and waste management solutions. The development of ROSS BMs addresses the critical role of BMs in the transition to more sustainable practices. It can help the niche innovation ROSS to enter into the socio-technical regime of the wastewater industry and bring about a sustainability transition in the sector.