We are in dire need to find unique sustainability solutions to the world's issues. Is utilizing human waste as fertilizer a new solution? We will delve deeper into how this could be a climate-saving solution.
Not only is it repurposing a byproduct and returning it back to nature. It is no longer only the Amish or homesteaders who are discovering the possible benefits of human waste. Urban folk across the world are revolutionizing the previously untapped resource to the benefit of the soil.
To discover how to correctly and safely use human waste as fertilizer, continue reading and discover the answers to your stinky questions.
Is Human Waste Compostable?
In short, yes, it is. However, human waste needs to be composted differently depending on where you live and what is available to you. Unfortunately, human waste should not be added to your normal compost at home. This is for the same reason that dog waste should not be added to the compost bins either.
There are harmful bacteria and pathogens that could remain present in the waste. To kill these effectively, you will need to hot compost the waste. This is something that some home composters can achieve; however, most home composting setups are cold composters. If the dangerous bacteria and pathogens remain in your compost, they can be absorbed by the edible plants and end up in your body once again.
Large-scale composting facilities have the technology to heat and process the waste products at high temperatures for a recommended amount of time. The finished product is regulated and tested to ensure no harmful bacteria and pathogens exist.
Can Human Waste Be Used As Fertilizer?
Yes, it can be used as a fertilizer. It has been used for a similar purpose for centuries. Human waste is rich in plant nutrients and makes it an ideal addition to your garden.
Unfortunately, it seems that a lack of knowledge and misunderstanding has stood in the way of this being adopted throughout current farming practices. This could be seen as an opportunity for human excrement to be used in agricultural fields. The fecal sludge could be utilized to increase the soil's health.
Dried human waste has been found to be high in phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. This provides essential plant nutrients and organic matter, which contributes to building soil structure and preventing erosion. This is only applicable if the human waste is treated appropriately and the pathogens and bacteria are killed through heat treatment.
This is, in fact, an untapped resource that could be a new sustainability solution in our fight against the climate crisis.
Home Composting Of Human Waste
One of the easiest ways to collect human waste is to use a urine-diverting composting toilet. The matter removed from this style of toilet should be slightly damp, which is perfect for composting. If the toilet is a non-urine diverting setup, the organic matter will be too wet for effective composting. The combination of the urine and human waste creates an anaerobic environment that allows for smelly bacteria to thrive.
The solid human waste should be removed and placed into a dedicated composter. The composter must not leach out of the bottom or sides as it could contaminate groundwater. It must also be protected from rain as it cannot get wet. There also has to be adequate ventilation. The easiest way to achieve these specific conditions is through a compost tumbler or barrel that is sealed and remains off the ground at all times.
You can add leaves or other organic matter to the compost bin. However, it would be advisable to be familiar with composting basics before tackling this project, as this knowledge will help you to manage the waste effectively. Add lime to the compost bin.
This will reduce the time that it has to sit before being safely used in the garden. It is recommended to add 3% lime to the total waste volume. Once the lime has been added, the compost bin will need to sit untouched without the addition of new material for at least 120 days. This should have killed all pathogens. However, it is recommended to never place the finished compost on edible plants just in case the dangerous bacteria is still present. Use the compost on non-edible plants or bury it.
For further information and reading, The Humanure Handbook by Joseph Jenkins is a recommended read. The 4th edition has over 40 years of research and experience to expand your knowledge and understanding of the benefits and usages of human waste.
Urine Composting
If you are utilizing a urine diverting toilet, you can also use the urine as a fertilizer. You can either dilute it or use it straight. The Rich Earth Institute has worked with universities, the World Health Organization (WHO), and public health regulators. They have established principles for using urine as fertilizer. The message from this guide is that urine is not a health risk and is safe to be used as fertilizer on plants.
Urine has been used directly on plants; however, it is recommended to dilute it with eight parts water to one part urine. This will avoid burning the plant's roots. If you notice that your plants are being burnt, then dilute it further to 20 parts to one.
Urine is considered safer than human waste as most pathogens are excreted in feces. This is why urine is almost always pathogen free. If there are any pathogens residing in the urine, they get deactivated as they age. Some experts recommend one month of aging; however, six months is recommended for urine from combined sources.
Human waste can be composted and used as fertilizer. However, it needs to be treated and composted carefully to avoid dangerous and harmful contamination.
Hot composting is the most effective way to compost human waste and kill the dangerous pathogens and bacteria that could be harmful to humans if consumed via edible plants.
It is always recommended to use the composted human waste on non-edible plants just in case dangerous pathogens and bacteria are still present.
Urine can be used as a fertilizer, and this is a much simpler treatment process. It can be diluted and used directly on edible or non-edible plants.
Is utilizing human waste as fertilizer a new solution? This article delves into how this could be a climate-saving solution.
We are in dire need to find unique sustainability solutions to the world's issues. Is utilizing human waste as fertilizer a new solution? We will delve deeper into how this could be a climate-saving solution.
Not only is it repurposing a byproduct and returning it back to nature. It is no longer only the Amish or homesteaders who are discovering the possible benefits of human waste. Urban folk across the world are revolutionizing the previously untapped resource to the benefit of the soil.
To discover how to correctly and safely use human waste as fertilizer, continue reading and discover the answers to your stinky questions.
Is Human Waste Compostable?
In short, yes, it is. However, human waste needs to be composted differently depending on where you live and what is available to you. Unfortunately, human waste should not be added to your normal compost at home. This is for the same reason that dog waste should not be added to the compost bins either.
There are harmful bacteria and pathogens that could remain present in the waste. To kill these effectively, you will need to hot compost the waste. This is something that some home composters can achieve; however, most home composting setups are cold composters. If the dangerous bacteria and pathogens remain in your compost, they can be absorbed by the edible plants and end up in your body once again.
Large-scale composting facilities have the technology to heat and process the waste products at high temperatures for a recommended amount of time. The finished product is regulated and tested to ensure no harmful bacteria and pathogens exist.
Can Human Waste Be Used As Fertilizer?
Yes, it can be used as a fertilizer. It has been used for a similar purpose for centuries. Human waste is rich in plant nutrients and makes it an ideal addition to your garden.
Unfortunately, it seems that a lack of knowledge and misunderstanding has stood in the way of this being adopted throughout current farming practices. This could be seen as an opportunity for human excrement to be used in agricultural fields. The fecal sludge could be utilized to increase the soil's health.
Dried human waste has been found to be high in phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. This provides essential plant nutrients and organic matter, which contributes to building soil structure and preventing erosion. This is only applicable if the human waste is treated appropriately and the pathogens and bacteria are killed through heat treatment.
This is, in fact, an untapped resource that could be a new sustainability solution in our fight against the climate crisis.
Urban folk across the world are revolutionizing the previously untapped resource to the benefit of the soil.
Home Composting Of Human Waste
One of the easiest ways to collect human waste is to use a urine-diverting composting toilet. The matter removed from this style of toilet should be slightly damp, which is perfect for composting. If the toilet is a non-urine diverting setup, the organic matter will be too wet for effective composting. The combination of the urine and human waste creates an anaerobic environment that allows for smelly bacteria to thrive.
The solid human waste should be removed and placed into a dedicated composter. The composter must not leach out of the bottom or sides as it could contaminate groundwater. It must also be protected from rain as it cannot get wet. There also has to be adequate ventilation. The easiest way to achieve these specific conditions is through a compost tumbler or barrel that is sealed and remains off the ground at all times.
You can add leaves or other organic matter to the compost bin. However, it would be advisable to be familiar with composting basics before tackling this project, as this knowledge will help you to manage the waste effectively. Add lime to the compost bin.
This will reduce the time that it has to sit before being safely used in the garden. It is recommended to add 3% lime to the total waste volume. Once the lime has been added, the compost bin will need to sit untouched without the addition of new material for at least 120 days. This should have killed all pathogens. However, it is recommended to never place the finished compost on edible plants just in case the dangerous bacteria is still present. Use the compost on non-edible plants or bury it.
For further information and reading, The Humanure Handbook by Joseph Jenkins is a recommended read. The 4th edition has over 40 years of research and experience to expand your knowledge and understanding of the benefits and usages of human waste.
Urine Composting
If you are utilizing a urine diverting toilet, you can also use the urine as a fertilizer. You can either dilute it or use it straight. The Rich Earth Institute has worked with universities, the World Health Organization (WHO), and public health regulators. They have established principles for using urine as fertilizer. The message from this guide is that urine is not a health risk and is safe to be used as fertilizer on plants.
Urine has been used directly on plants; however, it is recommended to dilute it with eight parts water to one part urine. This will avoid burning the plant's roots. If you notice that your plants are being burnt, then dilute it further to 20 parts to one.
Urine is considered safer than human waste as most pathogens are excreted in feces. This is why urine is almost always pathogen free. If there are any pathogens residing in the urine, they get deactivated as they age. Some experts recommend one month of aging; however, six months is recommended for urine from combined sources.
Human waste can be composted and used as fertilizer. However, it needs to be treated and composted carefully to avoid dangerous and harmful contamination.
Hot composting is the most effective way to compost human waste and kill the dangerous pathogens and bacteria that could be harmful to humans if consumed via edible plants.
It is always recommended to use the composted human waste on non-edible plants just in case dangerous pathogens and bacteria are still present.
Urine can be used as a fertilizer, and this is a much simpler treatment process. It can be diluted and used directly on edible or non-edible plants.
