Increasing freshwater scarcity is making reclamation of wastewater effluent more economically attractive as a means of preserving freshwater resources. The use of an integrated membrane system (IMS), the combination of micro/ultra-filtration (MF/UF) followed by reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, represents a key process for municipal wastewater reuse. A major drawback of such systems is the fouling of both the MF/UF and RO membranes. The water to be treated by the IMS system varies from one wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to another, and its fouling propensity changes correspondingly. It is thus preferable to conduct pilot trials before implementing a full-scale plant. This thesis aims to look at the sustainability of IMS technology dedicated to indirect potable reuse (IPR) in terms of fouling minimisation and cost via a 600 m3 .d- 1 pilot plant. Wastewater reuse plants, using IMS, as well as statistical methods for membrane optimisation were reviewed. Box-Behnken design was used to define optimum operating envelopes of the pilot plant for both the microfiltration and the reverse osmosis in terms of fouling minimisation. Same statistical method was used to enhance the efficiency of the MF cleaning-in place through bench-scale test. Data from the pilot plant MF process allow to determine relationship between reversible and irreversible fouling, and operating parameters and feed water quality. Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) of the both trains (MF/RO/AOP and MF/AOP) of the pilot plant was performed and compared with the LCCA of two full-scale plant.

Textile waste amounts and its utilization are pressing problems in the EU today, with further expected worsening as legislations come into play, increasing collection rates. The EU strives towards a more sustainable future, however this future might entail initial disimprovement, as consumption and disposal behaviour are further expected to increase. The study showed by mapping the future material flow that potential scenarios are severe, in waste volumes and it is unclear how they will be handled and utilized. It is of highest importance to prepare to mitigate them through levers that enable preferred circular flows towards a more sustainable future. Reusing clothing might be such a lever that promises to partially substitute the demand for new products. Through quantitative research and a systemic and dynamic analysis, this study concludes that waste management remains an even more acute problem, whilst slowing consumption through reuse and maintenance of existing products might be a (small) step in the right direction.

På europeiska stränder utgör plast som bland annat muggar och bestick en stor andel av det marina skräpet. För att begränsa resursanvändning och nedskräpning bedriver IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet ett forskningsprojekt där ett retursystem för take away-förpackningar implementerats på elva restauranger och kaféer i Sverige. Syftet med denna rapport är att undersöka materialvalet för matlådorna och muggarna som används och retursystemet i sin helhet ur ett användarperspektiv. För att göra detta genomfördes en enkätundersökning som riktade sig mot studenter på universitet och högskolor i Sverige. Detta retursystem är en typ av cirkulärt system som anses vara eftersträvansvärt inom både Sverige och EU. Inom ramarna för en cirkulär ekonomi kan det uppstå möjligheter för företag att utveckla nya affärsmodeller. Därmed finns det också ett flertal exempel på andra återbrukssystem. Som en del av det forskningsprojekt som samordnas av IVL genomförde också Antrop tre olika typer av undersökningar under år 2019 där viktiga faktorer för ett välfungerande retursystem diskuterades. För den enkät som genomfördes inom ramarna för denna rapport behandlades 217 stycken svar. Enkäten behandlade både allmänna frågor om respondentens attityd till retursystemet för take away-förpackningar och specifika frågor om retursystemet. De viktigaste slutsatserna som dragits är att faktorer som att systemet är enkelt och bekvämt att använda samt att hygienen inom systemet kan säkerställas har stor betydelse för kunderna. Det är möjligt att vissa av dessa potentiella hinder skulle kunna minimeras genom att retursystemet är tillgänglig i så stor utsträckning som möjligt. Viktigt att ha i åtanke är dock att attityder kan vara svåra att mäta, till exempel eftersom de inte alltid är kopplade till faktiska beteenden. / Plastic, for example cups and cutlery, constitutes a large portion of marine debris on european beaches. IVL, the Swedish Environmental Research Institute, is conducting a research project where a system of reuse for take away packaging has been implemented on eleven restaurants and cafés in Sweden to minimise resource utilization and littering. The purpose of this report is to examine this system of reuse as well as the materials used for the food containers and beverage cups within the system from a users perspective. To do this, a survey aimed at students at swedish universities was conducted. This system of reuse is a type of circulatory system which is something that is regarded as desirable in both Sweden and the EU. There is a possibility for companies to develop new business models within the limits of a circular economy, and evidently there are numerous examples of other systems of reuse that has been developed. As a part of the project that is coordinated by IVL, different surveys were conducted by Antrop during 2019 where important factors for a well functioning system of reuse were discussed. Regarding the survey that was conducted as a part of this report, 217 responses were processed. The survey dealt with both general questions regarding the respondents view of the system of reuse for take away packaging as well as specific questions regarding the system of reuse. The most important conclusions drawn where that it is important for the customers that the system is easy to use and that requirements regarding hygiene is fulfilled. It is possible that some of these obstacles could be minimised if the system of reuse have as good accessibility as possible. However, it is important to keep in mind that it can be difficult to measure attitudes as they are not always directly connected to behavior.