US farmers surprise by using urine as fertilizer and betting on a sustainable alternative to increase productivity

US Farmers Use Urine as Fertilizer in Groundbreaking Environmental Project: Rich Earth Institute initiative involves more than 250 residents and promotes nutrient recycling to boost sustainable agricultural production.

In the state of Vermont, in the United States (USA), a pioneering project has attracted attention for its innovation and positive environmental impact: farmers use urine as fertilizer to increase agricultural production. The initiative, led by the Rich Earth Institute, already involves more than 250 residents of Windham County, who voluntarily donate their urine to be used on local crops.

Betsy Williams, one of the participants in the program, says that the idea of ​​recycling nutrients that leave the human body makes sense. “We are consuming foods with nutrients and many of them can be reused. To me, it makes sense,” she said.

Collection and treatment of urine prior to application to soil

The collected urine goes through a controlled process before reaching the farms. A truck collects around 45 liters per year, which are taken to a tank where the liquid is pasteurized at 80 °C for 90 seconds. The treated urine is then stored until the right time to be applied to agricultural soil.

The application occurs during specific stages of the plant's cycle, when they are more able to absorb the nutrients present in the urine. The practice prevents excess water from flowing into rivers and lakes, which could cause environmental imbalances.

Why US Farmers Are Embracing the Use of Urine

The use of urine as a fertilizer is driven by its high nitrogen and phosphorus content, the same elements found in common synthetic fertilizers. However, the production of these artificial inputs generates significant environmental impacts. The nitrogen manufacturing process consumes fossil fuels, while the extraction of phosphorus generates toxic waste.

In this context, urine appears to be a sustainable, cost-effective and widely available alternative. As the director of the Terra Rica Institute, Jamina Shupack, points out: “Everyone pees. It’s an untapped resource.”

Recommended for you

Science and Technology

No more cracks? New study reveals how radiation can activate self-healing mechanisms in concrete, increasing the strength and stability of buildings and bridges

Self-healing concrete: New study shows how radiation can activate a self-healing process and improve the stability of the material. Concrete is one of the most widely used materials in civil construction…

Deborah Araújo

0

Reducing water use and carbon emissions

Professor Nancy Love from the University of Michigan has been working on the project since 2012 and has concluded that reusing urine instead of sending it down the drain reduces water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Just by eliminating the use of conventional toilets, the program estimates that it has saved more than 10 million liters of water since its inception.

“Today we dilute our urine as much as possible, send it for treatment, consume energy and return it to the environment. It is an inefficient process,” explained Love.

Prevention of algal blooms and protection of water resources

The common destination for urine treated by sewage systems is waterways. However, the nutrients in urine, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can feed harmful algae, which unbalance aquatic ecosystems. For this reason, farmers and researchers see applying urine to soil as a way to prevent river contamination and, at the same time, increase agricultural productivity.

“Nitrogen will always make plants grow, whether in water or soil. The secret is where we apply these nutrients,” said Shupack.

Adoption in other countries and regulatory challenges

While Vermont’s program is a benchmark in the U.S., similar initiatives are being developed in other countries. In Paris, France, volunteers collect urine to fertilize wheat used in baking. In Sweden, companies are turning urine into fertilizer to combat algae blooms.

Pilot projects in South Africa, Nepal and Niger are also investigating the feasibility of using urine in agriculture. However, regulatory and logistical hurdles make it difficult to scale up. “Often there is no specific form for handling urine, which makes the process bureaucratic,” Shupack said.

Innovations in urine transport and treatment

To overcome logistical challenges, the Terra Rica Institute has developed a freezing concentration system that reduces urine volume by up to six times. The technology is already in use at the University of Michigan.

Another barrier is adapting the U.S. plumbing infrastructure. Many building systems are not equipped to separate urine at the source, requiring changes in building standards and new sewage systems.

Changing habits for the application of technology in the USA

Betsy Williams began donating urine using detergent bottles and transporting the containers in her car. She recently installed a toilet in her home that separates urine from other waste and stores it in the basement. “Everything is easier now. And dealing with urine is less unpleasant,” she said.

According to the Institute, the so-called “disgust factor” is not as decisive as one might think. “People are receptive to the idea, but they think others will find it strange,” said Shupack.

As for the presence of drugs in urine, preliminary studies indicate extremely low levels in cultivated plants. “You would have to eat absurd amounts of lettuce daily to equal a cup of coffee,” the director explained.

Source: G1