Liquid waste handling practices and requirements have undergone significant changes over the past couple of decades. It’s fair to say that in many ways, the industry is barely recognizable from the systems of 20-30 years ago. That is, of course, with the large exception of some public waste processing facilities (even in the wealthiest states) that function with aged and insufficient equipment. But, in residential septic systems and newer public liquid waste treatment plants, applications of new solutions are being implemented every day. To better understand the dynamics, we’ll look here at what’s driving the industry in 2024.
Primary Topics in the Liquid Waste Industry 2024
There are many complex problems and proposed solutions, as in any given year, in the liquid waste management business. Here are some of the key drivers of positive changes in the industry going into 2024:
1. Expanded Demand for Liquid Waste Handling
With ever-increasing industrial, commercial, and residential expansion, there is naturally a continuously increasing focus on sustainability. The demand for more efficient methods of liquid waste management is always growing. Maintaining public health relies on controlling pollution and protecting the environment. So, it makes sense that increasingly strict regulatory requirements for disposal continue to be legislated and enforced to impact the operations of liquid waste handling services.
2. Tech-Driven Innovation and Quality
Along with the rapidly increasing urban demand for more sustainable liquid waste management systems, emerging technological innovations are also anticipated to increase over the next few years, including 2024. These include refining biological and chemical treatment processes for liquid waste.
These improvements have increased the efficiency of liquid waste management. They’ve also spurred market growth, which has generated substantial opportunities for liquid waste management businesses. Treatment technologies can be expected to help meet tighter regulatory requirements and ultimately reduce operating inefficiencies and costs.
3. Rise in Consumer Waste Education Levels
Public awareness of environmental sustainability is rapidly increasing. In this age of the internet and social media, environmental news and movements are much easier to spread to international populations. The result is a generally more ecologically conscious global citizenry. A majority of consumers in the US now purposefully seek out and support businesses that prioritize environmentally sustainable practices.
It is expected that in 2024, there will be an increased focus on even greater environmental education for consumers, featuring responsible habits. In urban and suburban areas — where environmental issues are most extreme — schools, workplaces, and communities will be increasingly encouraged to join the effort to develop a more sustainable world. Outreach tools directed especially toward the solid and liquid waste industries can be anticipated to help shape these efforts.
4. Stronger Food Waste / Organic Waste Laws
Virtually every year, federal legislation expands laws governing food waste disposal. Further, there are significant increases in US state and local laws and in Canadian national laws to tighten controls on this form of waste management. For example, just in January 2024, new food waste bills were submitted in Congress that deal with composting, disposing of expired food product labeling, and food donation, among others.
These are, of course, front-end approaches to management of organic waste. Disposal regulations for sewage further increase restrictions on handling of the same type of waste at the later stage.
5. Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act Joins US Sustainability Plan
Sustainable jobs, for obvious reasons, cannot be viewed as a separate issue from other sustainable liquid waste management business practices. New Canadian legislation will require the development of a plan for Sustainable Jobs Action. It will lay out a national schema for generating economic growth and sustainable jobs as well as helping communities and their workforces transition to a net-zero carbon emissions economy within five years.
The new Canadian policy will further outline the government’s plan for decarbonizing the country, including criteria for employers to access federal incentives for sustainable job creation and for workers to obtain such jobs.
Overview of Industry Changes in 2024 and Beyond
Future projections for growth in the US liquid waste management industry are strong. Urban development, rising public awareness of the need for sustainable personal practices, increased environmental protection regulations, and advanced wastewater treatment methods are all expected to contribute to the economic growth of the liquid waste handling market in 2024 and beyond. Further, AI-driven digital technologies can be expected to improve solid and liquid waste management systems and processes.
All the above combined drivers, among others, will lead to more efficient liquid waste management strategies and industry-wide improvement in operations. These changes will ultimately contribute to better protection of public health and help ensure environmental sustainability in 2024 and through the years to come.