Creating Value from Waste: UBC’s Don Mavinic nominated for a 2010 Manning Award for Canadian technological achievement
Nutrient Recovery: Creating Value from Municipal Wastewater
On May 31st, Dr. Don Mavinic of the University of British Columbia was formally recognized in the BC Provincial Legislature as one of six BC finalists in the Manning Innovation Awards competition for 2010.
The Manning Foundation, based in Calgary, annually recognizes successful and practical Canadian technological achievements. Don and his research team were nominated by UBC and BC Hydro, for their innovative, and now globally applied technology in recovering nutrients (especially phosphorus) from wastewater.
The nutrient recovery is in the form of struvite, a fertilizer. Commercially, the technology is marketed by Ostara, Inc, a UBC spin-off company, and the product is known as Crystal Green.
In total, there are about 40 finalists (out of hundreds nominated from across Canada), vying for only 4 awards. The competition is very stiff. Don and his team have already been invited to the Manning annual banquet in Winnipeg, this October-win, lose or draw. The winners, (and runners up) will be announced by mid-July.
To Learn More:
To learn more about the contributions of Don Mavinic, click on Nutrient Recovery: Creating Value from Waste at Metro Vancouver’s Lulu Island Sewage Treatment Plant
Don Mavinic flanked by Moira Stilwell (Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development) and Murray Goldberg (representing the Manning Foundation)
About the Manning Innovation Awards
The Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation has been recognizing and encouraging innovation in Canada since 1982. By means of a nomination, Canadian resident citizens, who have demonstrated recent innovative talent in developing and successfully marketing a new concept, process or procedure, may be eligible for one of these awards: Principal Award ($100,000), Award of Distinction ($25,000), Innovation Awards (2 at $10,000).