Urine Recycled Into Liquid Fertilizer in Europe

A new approach to waste management is being implemented in parts of Europe, redesigning the function of office and apartment building toilets. Special systems can now separate urine before it is flushed, allowing it to be collected and treated as a source of plant nutrients. This technology is operational in commercial and residential buildings, such as the European Space Agency's headquarters in Paris and a major bank in Geneva.

Across multiple installations, approximately 3 million litres of urine are recycled each year. The treated urine becomes a liquid fertilizer called Aurin, approved for use on plants in Switzerland and France. Additionally, the recovered water is integrated back into the building's flushing systems. This innovation focuses on recovering nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus before they are lost in the wider wastewater stream.

Companies like VunaNexus are leading this charge, with their treatment equipment often situated in building basements. The urine undergoes pasteurization to eliminate pathogens, and water is separated for reuse. Similar initiatives are underway across Europe, with companies in France, the Netherlands, and Sweden collecting and processing urine for agricultural applications and biostimulants.

Projects are also exploring urine-derived fertilizer for forestry, with a Forestry Commission-backed trial in Wales testing its use on young native trees. Large public events also present unique opportunities for urine recovery due to the concentration of users in temporary facilities. Despite some economic challenges related to scaling up and collection costs, the potential for urine recycling to significantly contribute to Europe's nitrogen requirements is substantial.