Seattle-based engineering firm Sedron Technologies, in collaboration with San Francisco-based company Generate Upcycle, has developed a revolutionary system called Varcor that transforms leftover biomass from wastewater into nutrient-rich fertilizers, mulches, and soil additives. This innovative technology is being used by wastewater treatment plants across the country to extract phosphorus, an essential plant nutrient, and create slow-release fertilizers that can be sold to farmers.
Other organizations, such as Epic Cleantec and Ostara, are also utilizing high heat, composting, and pressure cooker-like devices to repurpose sewage and urine into valuable natural resources. These initiatives aim to reduce waste, eliminate pollutants from wastewater, and meet the increasing food demands without harming the environment.
A recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Management highlights the potential of wastewater treatment plants as renewable nitrogen sources that can provide essential nutrients for organic-mineral fertilizers. By extracting nitrogen and phosphorus for reuse, these facilities can help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and manure lagoons.
The Varcor system operates by heating sewage to separate it into solid matter and vapor, which are then processed using mechanical vapor recompression and distillation techniques. The resulting dry fertilizer is sold to farms, with Sedron Technologies exploring opportunities to use the ammonia byproduct for fertilizer production.
Overall, these initiatives demonstrate a shift towards viewing human waste as a valuable resource for sustainable agriculture, highlighting the importance of recycling nutrients to create a more environmentally friendly food production system.
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