Transforming Human Urine to Fertilizer

As the population in major cities go up, the demand for and price of fertilizers has also increased. High fertilizer price causes low yields and less agricultural productivity, especially in developing countries where access to tools and fertilizer is limited. In addition, agricultural runoff from artificial fertilizers is polluting soil and water. To tackle pollution and create sustainable cities, we must move to a circular economy where resources are recycled.

Human urine has been shown to have a  fertilizing potential, providing essential plant nutrients and organic matter for building soil structure and reducing erosion. 

Especially rich in nitrogen, and potassium, human urine provides a vast majority of the nutrients required for plant growth.

A urine diversion toilet separates the urine from the feces after it is flushed.Fresh urine is collected from the diverting toilet and transferred to a dryer, where an alkalizing agent, articularly calcium raises the temperature. By increasing the pH of urine to make it alkaline, the volume can be reduced and transform to solid fertilizer.

Advantages

1.An excellent fertilizer from urine increases food and income

2.Free and available resource

3.Reduces the need for expensive(inorganic fertilizer)

Disadvantages

1.Limited availability at the household level

2.Lack of equipment for collection,storage and transpotation of urine

3.Requires knowledge for appropriate use and safe handling

4.May require complementary nutrient input

The use of bio-solids commonly faces prejudice from customers and regulators whose perceptions of products derived from human excreta are a common barrier to their recognition.

References

1.https://theconversation.com/we-found-a-way-to-turn-urine-into-solid-fertiliser-it-could-make-farming-more-sustainable-148877

2.https://eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2115/53892/1/Sene_Moustapha.pdf

3.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652614000948