Nitrogen and/or phosphorus based fertilizer can be recovered from human excreta biosolids (Munasinghe-Arachchige & Nirmalakhandan, 2020) and stored urine (Rich Earth Institute). Stored urine requires wastewater management sources that incorporate urine diversion technology. Biosolids are a byproduct of centralized wastewater treatment facilities and from on-site waste treatment in which feces and urine are collected and treated separately. When treated and processed properly, these waste treatment byproducts can be recovered; both are nutrient-rich organic materials suitable for reuse (Simha & Ganesapillai, 2017). Biosolids are appropriate for and have been used successfully for the following agricultural uses:

• Soil enhancement
• Establishing vegetation in reclamation sites
• Soil erosion control
• Regenerating soils
• Promoting timber growth in forestry
• Landscaping purposes for homes, gardens and other venues
  

While treatment allows them to be handled safely, both biosolids and stored urine must be managed carefully within the regulatory constraints and health standards of the region in which they are recovered and applied.

There is increased interest in phosphorus recovery from human waste due to depletion of global stores of phosphorus. The looming shortage of phosphorus provides a strong market-based incentive for pursuing this technology. The recovery of fertilizer from human waste is an elegant solution that saves resources, improves water quality, prevents pollution and contributes to sustainable agriculture.

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