Applying fertilizer derived from nutrient-rich urine could have environmental and economic benefits, say the professors.

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The researchers found that recycling and diverting urine led to significant reductions in energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, freshwater consumptions and instances of fueling algal blooms in bodies of water. Recently, studies have been focusing on urine recycling as a way to produce renewable fertilizers while decreasing the amount of chemicals and energy needed for wastewater treatment. While no urine recycling and diversion systems exist on a city scale, several projects are underway -- including one at U-M -- that demonstrate small-scale impact. Hilton also studied wastewater treatment using data from treatment plants in Michigan, Vermont and Virginia. The one downside to processing urine into fertilizer was that one method led to an increase in acidification.