Didn’t go to the Battelle Remediation Symposium in Boston this June? We’ve got you covered – SURF members who attended shared their experiences and perspectives with us. A summary is provided below. Many sessions at the Battelle Remediation Symposium included specific project examples of how sustainable concepts were integrated throughout the remedial project life cycle. While sustainability sessions featured case studies of solar-powered soil vapor extraction systems, coastal resiliency assessments, and low-footprint project strategies, other presentations about remedial strategies, bioremediation, and emerging contaminants also included sustainability elements. Speakers showed how:

• Sustainability tools like SiteWise™ and SEFA (Spreadsheets for Environmental Footprint Analysis) are used to assess the environmental impact of remedial options.
• Dehalococcoides-based bioremediation can be a more sustainable option than many conventional remediation methods due to its low energy requirements and minimal site disturbance. However, the need for bioaugmentation and repeated amendment injections can reduce these sustainability benefits, depending on site-specific conditions and implementation practices.
• In situ remediation methods often generate less greenhouse gas emissions than other approaches.
• Integrating sustainable practices into remediation efforts can often lead to cost savings, as sustainability emphasizes reducing resource consumption and improving operational efficiency.

While presentations of sustainability and climate resilience applications in remediation projects were prevalent, the “given” of continuing these practices in 2025 seemed uncertain. Feedback from various consultants, commercial industries, and regulators varied considerably. Overall, the consensus was to increase focus on efficiency and cost savings when presenting applications of sustainable resilient remediation practices. This topic was further discussed at a SURF member happy hour. The conversation sparked new ideas, including the launch of a technical initiative (learn more here) and strategies for maintaining momentum around sustainability amid political uncertainty.

The Seventh International Symposium on Bioremediation and Environmental Biotechnology was held June 23-26, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts.