Human waste—our "number twos"—is rarely discussed outside of basic hygiene, yet the matter we flush away daily could be the key to solving some of the world's most pressing problems, from energy needs to water scarcity and nutrient depletion. The average adult flushes away around 91 kilograms of feces and 730 liters of urine every year, a resource that our ancestors understood how to utilize.
A History of Resourcefulness
In ancient Rome, virtually no human waste went to waste: untreated excrement was used as manure for gardens, and urine was collected for use in fabric production. During the time of Henry VIII, "gong farmers" emptied cesspits overnight and sold the contents to local farmers, while collected urine was used to soften leather. While modern sensibilities dictate that untreated waste should be left in the past due to pathogens, we can learn from this resourceful attitude.
1. Generating Green Energy ⚡
Unlike intermittent sources like solar or wind power, human waste provides a constant supply of raw material for energy. The sludge remaining after sewage processing is an excellent source for generating methane. Modern treatment plants use bacteria to break down the sludge, creating biogas that can be piped directly to homes or used to power vehicles. This biogas is a much cleaner fuel than traditional petrol or diesel.
2. Solving the Water Crisis 💧
Water scarcity is a growing global crisis, with 72% of global water use dedicated to agriculture. Population increases and climate change are exacerbating demand, threatening to displace populations in the coming decade.
However, the technology to recycle water from waste is already available and highly effective. Israel currently captures and recycles almost 90% of its used water, supplying a staggering amount of water annually for agricultural use. Since each adult in the UK sends around 140 liters of used water down the drain daily (in addition to two liters of urine), recycling this water is a tangible way to save the planet from catastrophic droughts.
3. Replenishing Essential Nutrients 🌱
Every living thing requires phosphorus to survive, but chronic over-mining means this crucial natural resource is rapidly declining and cannot be replenished. Without this vital nutrient added back to farmland, humanity would only be able to produce about half the food it does today.
Like our ancestors, we can return our nutrient-rich sewage to the soil. Solutions include using composting toilets or utilizing the dried, nutrient-dense residue left over from biogas generation.
4. Reinventing Sanitation for the World 🚽
Beyond the environmental and energy benefits, reinventing the toilet is a crucial matter of global health. Currently, 4.2 billion people live without access to safe sanitation. Innovative, waterless toilet designs could help prevent the deaths of an estimated 800 children under the age of five every day. The development of this new, non-sewered toilet market is not only predicted to be life-saving but also highly lucrative, potentially becoming a multi-billion dollar market by 2030.
In summary, while fecal matter may still raise a giggle, the extraordinary power of poo is no laughing matter. By implementing modern waste-to-resource technologies, we can secure constant energy, conserve water, and replenish vital nutrients, all while improving global health.
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