In Lissa Schneckenburger’s Brattleboro, Vermont garden, both the tomatoes and bees appear content, and this satisfaction might be attributed to the manner in which she enriches the soil – by incorporating her family’s urine.
Kim Nace, the co-founder of the Rich Earth Institute, leads an initiative exploring the conversion of human urine into fertilizer. She acknowledges that people are initially surprised by the concept but quickly explains that urine contains essential nutrients.
The organization aims to capture and utilize these nutrients in agriculture.
- California RESIDENTS To RECEIVE $500 MONTHLY PAYMENTS In New Guaranteed Income Program: Here Is Who Is Eligible
- Us Job Market Booms With 272,000 New Jobs, But Unemployment Rises Slightly To 4.0%
- Credit Scores Of 720+ See Improved Loan Rates This Week
- Examining The Facts: Fact Check On IRS $8700 Stimulus Check Eligibility & Payment Dates
- Gas Prices On Downward Trend As Fourth Of July Road Trips Approach: AAA
The components in urine vital for plant growth include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and various trace minerals derived from the food we consume, as elucidated by Nace.
Rich Earth Ensures Clean Urine Through Pasteurization
Urine generally lacks harmful bacteria; however, proximity to solid waste poses a risk of disease transmission.
To mitigate this risk, Abe Noe-Hays explains that all urine collected by Rich Earth undergoes pasteurization, adhering to federal standards.
The process involves heating the urine to eliminate pathogens, followed by cooling before being dispensed from the machine.
Subsequently, Arthur Davis transfers the sanitized urine from extensive storage tanks to containers on his truck, typically handling around a thousand gallons in each transfer.
Annual Urine Collection at Rich Earth: 12,000 Gallons
Annually, the Rich Earth Institute collects approximately 12,000 gallons of urine, as reported by co-founder Abe Noe-Hays.
Despite their serious mission, the organization frequently encounters humor and jokes related to urine in their daily interactions.
The United States and globally are delving into the realm of urine recycling, with ongoing studies in countries such as Sweden, Switzerland, France, South Africa, and others.
The Rich Earth Institute consistently conducts educational webinars to disseminate knowledge on their mission.
The composting toilet, featuring separate compartments for liquid and solid waste, eliminates the need for flushing. Schneckenburger detailed the maintenance process, mentioning that Rich Earth utilizes a large truck and hose to empty the urine tank biannually.