Biototal works with all kinds of interesting by-products and waste products from society and industry, which—instead of being a problem—can serve as valuable and sustainable resources in a more sustainable circular society that connects cities, rural areas, and the ocean. Our efforts to promote a long-term sustainable environment and economy benefit everyone in society.
One of the products we work with is sludge, a controversial product that evokes strong emotions. Much of the negative sentiment stems from a lack of knowledge.
Our approach of returning what many consider to be spent resources to farmland—in the form of, for example, sludge and biofertilizer—is highly beneficial. Phosphorus, which is found in sludge, is a finite resource; if we do not make use of what is available, new phosphorus must be mined. Phosphorus, nitrogen, organic matter, and other important nutrients and minerals are all required for crops to grow on our farmland. By returning recycled products to the soil, our farmers can avoid using industrially manufactured fertilizers, where the nutrients are largely extracted from open-pit mines or underground mines. Except for nitrogen, which is taken from the air. These valuable organic matter and nutrients contribute to increased yields and soil fertility, and thus also, among other things, to increased carbon storage in the cultivated plants.
Inspected and Certified
All the material we return to agriculture is carefully inspected, and much of the sludge and biofertilizer we supply is also certified—for example, under Revaq, SPCR 120, and KRAV.
There are many more interesting byproducts and residual products that could be utilized as valuable resources in agriculture, forestry, and gardening. Some examples of additional products include phosphorus filters, reed beds, nutrient-rich specialty products, and bioash.
We are actively working to improve the environment
We are working on several fronts to make the best possible use of these by-products and residuals. We focus on research and development to find new, sustainable solutions for the future.
We also work with aquatic environments and help municipalities and wastewater treatment plants identify priority pollutants and address them.
If you’d like to read more, we recommend:
The Swedish Rural Economy Society’s report: Spreading Sludge on Farmland
The government’s study on sludge spreading on arable land