Potty Talk

At Rush Creek Lodge near Yosemite National Park, greywater from showers nourishes native landscapes, blending sustainability with scenic beauty. This innovative system saves millions of gallons each year, proving simple reuse can combat drought while restoring native ecosystems. From low-tech cabins to advanced recycling, the lodge models water-smart design.

Nitrogen fertilizers sustain industrial agriculture but harm the planet. A climate-friendly alternative? Human urine is packed with nutrients and readily available. From Niger’s farms to Portland’s labs, innovators are overcoming social and technical barriers to turn pee into fertilizer, boosting crop yields and reducing pollution. The future of farming may flow from our toilets.

At the UN Ocean Conference, experts revealed that wastewater pollution poses a critical threat to both oceans and human health, yet it is solvable. The Ocean Sewage Alliance and its partners showcased proven solutions, ranging from coral reef recovery in Honduras to decentralized treatment in Kenya. They launched the Action Platform to End Sewage Pollution to drive global monitoring, policy, and funding.

After two impactful years as OSA Steering Committee Chair, Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy reflects on key achievements, expanding partnerships, groundbreaking research, and global advocacy, and passes the baton to Helen Fox. With gratitude for the team’s dedication, Stewart celebrates progress in combating ocean sewage pollution and looks ahead to OSA’s continued growth under new leadership.