[Greenbuilding] fertilizer from human waste

Corwyn corwyn at midcoast.com
Mon Jan 14 15:27:08 CST 2013


On 1/14/2013 3:09 PM, Benjamin Pratt wrote:
> I haven't thought about it as much as RT. I would guess that -maybe-
> there are regulations about using human waste because -maybe- it would
> be easier for human pathogens to be transmitted than for pathogens
> from other species...

Sure, but really you want ALL the pathogens* out of your compost before 
you use it on your vegetables.  Fortunately, this isn't too difficult.

* - pathogens, as in things deleterious to humans, not necessarily 
specifically originating with humans.

>    Regardless, I find it hopeful that people may become more accepting
> of this kind of fertilizer, as it could be better utilized in the
> future--regardless of how it's treated.

If we want to keep increasing our biomass at the cost of every other 
form of biomass on the planet, we have no choice but to recycle that 
biomass into more food for ourselves.  There is just no other option.

> I do have a question. My friend, who is an organic farmer, said he
> won't use chicken shit because it makes the vegetables taste bad. Is
> this possible?

Sure.  Not to say it is true or not.  Lots of things affect the taste of 
vegetables.  Is he using it raw (i.e. uncomposted)?

If it is, it would make more sense to make fertilizer more smell-free.

If your vegetables taste like chicken shit smells, you are IMHO doing 
something _really_ wrong.


Thank You Kindly,

Corwyn


-- 
Topher Belknap
Green Fret Consulting
Kermit didn't know the half of it...
http://www.greenfret.com/
topher at greenfret.com
(207) 882-7652




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