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Urine diversion for nutrient recovery and micropollutant management: Results from a regional urine recycling program

Abstract:

Source separation of urine is a novel strategy that facilitates improved nutrient recovery and micropollutant management. The Rich Earth Institute operates the United States' first regional urine recycling program, collecting source-separated urine from households and producing a sanitized fertilizer product for use by local farmers. The purpose of this program is to provide practical experience and quantitative data on all stages of the urine recycling process, and to create a platform to allow detailed research into specific aspects of the process in a real-world context. Current research topics at the Institute include the fate of pharmaceutical and biological constituents when urine is used as fertilizer, the effect on crop yield of urine fertilizer in comparison with synthetic fertilizer, and methods for transforming and concentrating urine to reduce the cost of storage and transport.