Closing the loop of human waste: can eco-innovation be the key? Findings from the case study of the LooPi urinal

Английский. The Circular Economy (CE) primary goal is to be capable of "closing the loops" in processes by changing the idea of resources and waste. Eco-innovation ("the introduction of any new or significantly improved product (good or service), process, organizational change or marketing solution that reduces the use of natural resources (including materials, energy, water, and land)" could be a way to encourage industries to develop more solutions with "closed-loop" systems. Eco-toilets were developed to transform the original wastes and possibly capture some of the nutrients from human waste. An example adopted in the city of Vienna related to an eco-innovation project is the LooPi Urinal. The main objective of the research will be to identify the stages, actors, and barriers to an eco-innovation project such as the LooPi. Also, to understand which are the inputs, activities, and outputs (based on the Theory of Change (ToC)) needed for adopting the CE model in a product like toilets. The data collected for this investigation was obtained from a workshop, policy review and several interviews in the network of LooPi. Five different stages (identifying a need, product design, funding and policy research, prototype development and implementation and market planning) and their actors were identified for the eco-innovation process. The actors were categorized as funding/investors, public authorities, eco-innovators, researchers/designers and clients. Several barriers in each of the stages were identified. The actions and outputs needed for overcoming them were also collected. As for the ToC, the results obtained were categorized in the techno-economic, social and political dimensions. The intended outcome of nutrient and water circularity could become a reality by creating the necessary markets, networks, infrastructure, sustainable supply chain, and policies for supporting and regulating wastewater reuse.

Английский. The Circular Economy (CE) primary goal is to be capable of "closing the loops" in processes by changing the idea of resources and waste. Eco-innovation ("the introduction of any new or significantly improved product (good or service), process, organizational change or marketing solution that reduces the use of natural resources (including materials, energy, water, and land)" could be a way to encourage industries to develop more solutions with "closed-loop" systems. Eco-toilets were developed to transform the original wastes and possibly capture some of the nutrients from human waste. An example adopted in the city of Vienna related to an eco-innovation project is the LooPi Urinal. The main objective of the research will be to identify the stages, actors, and barriers to an eco-innovation project such as the LooPi. Also, to understand which are the inputs, activities, and outputs (based on the Theory of Change (ToC)) needed for adopting the CE model in a product like toilets. The data collected for this investigation was obtained from a workshop, policy review and several interviews in the network of LooPi. Five different stages (identifying a need, product design, funding and policy research, prototype development and implementation and market planning) and their actors were identified for the eco-innovation process. The actors were categorized as funding/investors, public authorities, eco-innovators, researchers/designers and clients. Several barriers in each of the stages were identified. The actions and outputs needed for overcoming them were also collected. As for the ToC, the results obtained were categorized in the techno-economic, social and political dimensions. The intended outcome of nutrient and water circularity could become a reality by creating the necessary markets, networks, infrastructure, sustainable supply chain, and policies for supporting and regulating wastewater reuse.