From Waste to Watts: Turning Sewage Sludge into Clean Energy & Sustainable Feed

Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, have pioneered a groundbreaking solar-powered process that transforms sewage sludge—a by-product of wastewater treatment—into green hydrogen for clean energy and single-cell protein for animal feed.

This innovation tackles two critical global challenges: waste management and sustainable resource generation.

According to UN-Habitat, over 100 million tonnes of sewage sludge are produced worldwide each year—a figure that continues to rise. Processing this waste is notoriously complex due to contaminants like heavy metals and pathogens. Traditional disposal methods, such as incineration and landfilling, are not only costly but also environmentally damaging.

To solve this, researchers developed a three-step, solar-powered process that integrates mechanical, chemical, and biological techniques to efficiently break down sludge. Their proof-of-concept tests reveal that this method:

✅ Recovers significantly more valuable resources than traditional techniques like anaerobic digestion

✅ Completely eliminates heavy metal contaminants

✅ Offers superior economic feasibility

“Our method transforms waste into valuable resources, reducing environmental harm while generating renewable energy and sustainable food. This is a perfect example of the circular economy at work, contributing to a greener future.”

— Researchers Hong Li & Yan Zhou

♻️ From waste to watts, this breakthrough could redefine how we handle sewage sludge—turning a major problem into a sustainable solution.