What the Project Is
VUNA – A WORLD OF IDEAS is a forward-thinking initiative that plans and builds water and wastewater systems of the future – from urban landscapes to alpine retreats. This project develops decentralized wastewater and circular sanitation systems that serve remote holiday homes, tiny houses, and even cabin retreats. VUNA masterfully plans the treatment of cabin wastewater and enables innovative solutions for urban areas – all while ensuring a resourceful and sustainable process. The project not only encompasses complete wastewater treatment to greywater recycling and rainwater use, but it also pioneers nutrient recycling with innovative products like the recycling fertilizer Aurin, and even fecal composting that transforms feces into humus via worm composting. Drinking water filters and other state-of-the-art drinking water treatment systems round out this visionary suite of offerings.
Main Benefit and Key Figures
A closer look at this initiative highlights several key accomplishments and impressive figures:
- Founded in 2016 in Dübendorf (Switzerland) as a spin-off of EAWAG.
- Over 150 distinct projects realized in 8 different countries.
- Offers tailored, future-proof sanitary systems for tiny houses, mountain huts, or urban new construction districts.
- Accredited laboratory for sample analyses of small wastewater treatment plants (KLARA).
- Innovative nutrient recycling including the production of Aurin – the world’s first urine-derived fertilizer officially licensed by the Swiss Federal Office of Agriculture.
Decentralized Wastewater and Sanitation Solutions
The project specializes in decentralized wastewater systems and circular sanitation methods that are as adaptive as they are effective. In remote locations or busy urban districts, VUNA’s approach reduces the strain on local water bodies by closing nutrient cycles right at the source. There’s a casual elegance to how each component is planned – whether it’s recycling greywater or utilizing rainwater – ensuring that every drop is optimally managed. The methodical planning and site-adapted systems serve as a reminder of how innovation and environmental responsibility can meet and exceed contemporary challenges.
Innovative Drinking Water Treatment Systems
One of the standout aspects of the project is its focus on drinking water treatment. VUNA offers a variety of technologies to transform water from streams, glaciers, snowfields, springs, or even rain into high-quality drinking water. The unique approach, combined with cutting-edge filtration systems, ensures safe and reliable hydration options for a diverse range of users. Embracing both tradition and innovation, this component of the project highlights that natural water sources can be responsibly turned into habit-forming solutions for communities, mountain retreats, or urban developments.
Nutrient Recycling and Urine Fertilizer Innovation
The nutrient recovery process stands out as one of the most exciting innovations within the project. Using the process developed by VUNA, the world’s first urine-derived fertilizer – Aurin – is produced in a manner that closes the nutrient cycle locally, reducing pollutant loads on water bodies. In addition, VUNA has introduced urine recycling technology that captures the nutrient-rich qualities of urine to produce a fertilizer that supports everything from vegetables to houseplants. There is also an impressive approach to fecal composting, where feces are transformed into nutrient-rich humus through worm composting. This natural cycle not only provides a valuable soil improver but also embodies the project’s commitment to sustainable, circular sanitation.
The Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13 – Climate Action
- SDG 15 – Life on Land
Future Vision and Collaboration
The forward-looking vision of circular sanitary systems is at the heart of this project. VUNA invites partnerships from practitioners in research, private industry professionals, and engaged individuals – a call to support the mission that makes sustainable sanitation a living reality across Switzerland. The network VaLoo, which brings together a diverse range of experts, represents the project’s dynamic approach to collaboration, ensuring that innovative water treatment and recycling technologies continue to evolve and expand. With its comprehensive range of offerings – from tailored sanitary systems and sophisticated drinking water treatment to groundbreaking nutrient recycling – the project illustrates how thoughtful design and technological ingenuity can create systems that are not only efficient but also deeply connected to environmental and public health needs.
