Resource recovery from organic household waste

Abstract

Resource recovery from organic household waste in the form of fertiliser and soil amendment products shows great promise in terms of achieving sustainability goals and contributing to circular economy under increasingly uncertain climate conditions. Alternative fertilisers such as struvite, urine and algae bio-fertiliser are safe and nutrient-dense products capable of replacing or supplementing mineral fertilisers. In conjunction with decentralised, circular sanitation systems, resources may be recovered while limiting pollution caused by, as well as freshwater used in conventional sanitation systems. In addition, organic household waste can fascilitate production of products aimed at improving soil physical and chemical qualities; a much needed contribution considering reduced soil fertility and increased desertification due to global climate change and conventional agricultural practices. Understanding possible sources of pollution as well as interactions between pollutants, the complexity of often ignored third-party effects and working toward creating and streamlining legal frameworks enabling the implementation of resource recovery on national and local levels can play a vital role in meeting the social and environmental challenges we face.