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P2GreeN – May 2023

P2GreeN is bidding farewell to May with some great News.

Explore our work

About P2GreeN

P2GreeN is a project funded by the EU. December 1, 2022 was the starting date for our new four-year EU project P2GreeN, which will develop, test and adapt the use of human sanitary waste to produce safe, bio-based fertilizers for agriculture. Our consortium of 32 European partners scored well with the Horizon Europe program and we have been awarded the contract to implement this unprecedented project. P2GreeN’s overall objective is to foster a paradigm shift, from a linearly organised resource and nutrient system within the agri-food supply chain, towards a circular material flow system between urban and rural areas thereby restoring the coupling of the water-agri-food system using a holistic symbiotic resource management approach following the 3R principle “Reduce, Reuse, Recover”.

To achieve this, P2GreeN will develop new circular governance solutions for the transition from fork to farm to halt and eliminate N & P pollution by connecting blue urban with green rural infrastructure, focussing on circular nutrient flows of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). This objective will be achieved through the implementation and exploration of innovative N & P recovery solutions for the utilisation of human sanitary waste from urban settlements and its conversion into safe bio-based fertilisers for agricultural production in three pilot regions (P2GreeN pilot regions) on a north-south trajectory from the Baltic Sea region via the metropolitan area of Hamburg-Hannover to the region of Axarquia in Southern Spain and by multiplying the impact via four follower regions in Hungary, Italy, France and Greece.

The P2GreeN project aims to create operational environments within pilot regions that foster the development, adaptation, and demonstration of innovative circular systems. These systems focus on utilizing human sanitary waste from urban settlements and converting it into safe bio-based fertilizers for agricultural production. By doing so, P2GreeN seeks to establish innovative governance solutions at the water-agri-food nexus. The project’s ultimate goal is to close nutrient cycles, specifically nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), to facilitate the transition towards a circular and clean economy, supporting sustainable food systems from farm to fork. One of the key objectives is to provide viable alternatives to the current usage of mineral fertilizers by introducing innovative green bio-based fertilizers. This approach helps minimize the pressure on natural resources, particularly water and soil. Additionally, P2GreeN aims to enable policymakers to replicate the sustainable regional circular economy models developed within the project in various regional settings across Europe. Through these efforts, P2GreeN contributes to the green transition and the establishment of more sustainable and resource-efficient practices in the agricultural sector. Stay tuned for updates on our progress as we continue to advance towards our goals!

Thanks to Vojtech Danicek for the Music in the background purchased & used in this video: License Agreement for Invoice# BSGUEST_0966787001676367745_1198331513276956

P2GreeN Consortium

P2GreeN Kick-off meeting January 2023 -Hanover, Germany

On the 12th and 13th of January, our first face-to-face kick-off meeting of the P2GreeN Horizon EU project took place in Hannover, Germany! We are really proud of our excellent P2GreeN team of 32 partners from across Europe that aims to close the gap in nutrient flows from fork to farm.

Our vision: To develop and demonstrate viable and sustainable approaches to nutrient recovery from sanitary waste.

Our mission: To develop, test, and adapt the use of human sanitary waste to produce safe, bio-based fertilizers for agriculture.

Upcoming events

Join our EU Green Week 2023 Partner Event

Join our #EUGreenWeek 2023 Partner Event and find out about the Skills/Upskilling of regional actors and local authorities for implementing successful nutrient recovery systems!

Register here!

Highlights from our Pilot Regions

SPANISH PILOT REGION

“The test site adaptation and preparation works were concluded at the Spanish pilot in the Axarquía region (Malaga, Spain). A total of 120 avocado and mango trees were already planted. The Water Reclamation Plant is fully operational producing 10m3/day of nutrient-rich reclaimed water. Most of the soil sensors to evaluate water and NPK demand from crops have been installed and the calibration process is currently ongoing. Therefore, the assessment with different fertigation treatments using well water and reclaimed water will start shortly in the coming weeks, along with the development of a smart nutrient management tool and decision support system.”

SWEDISH PILOT REGION

“We are delighted to announce a significant milestone that was set almost ten years ago: the production of a dry urine fertiliser with the aim of replacing solid chemical fertilisers in agriculture. In March 2023, we achieved a major breakthrough by successfully producing the first 20kg of solid urine-based fertiliser with a confirmed nitrogen content of 15%. This accomplishment was made possible through the collection of over 4,000 liters of urine on Gotland, a large Swedish island in the Baltic Sea, using the Touch Down system. The collected urine was then dried by Sanitation360 AB, and the final drying and production processes were carried out at SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) in Uppsala.

The next step in our journey is to evaluate the performance of urine-based fertiliser in agriculture, comparing it with conventional chemical fertilisers. In April, we initiated a barley field trial spanning over 500 square meters, where we seeded the field with our latest dried urine fertiliser. As the barley grows, we will closely monitor and assess the results, and we look forward to sharing our findings with you.

To provide a firsthand experience of our ongoing work, we are hosting a Demo Day on June 13th at 16:00 on Gotland. This event will allow you to see, touch, and even smell the fertiliser that we are producing. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to observe the toilets that facilitate the urine collection process. For more information about the Demo Day, please visit: fb.me/e/153OuqStl “

GERMAN PILOT REGION

“Great progress has been made in our project. Here are the key achievements:

1) Goldeimer’s solid recycling fertiliser (faecal compost): The process of obtaining building permissions has been initiated to establish the necessary infrastructure. Key technical components, such as the sanitisation container for waste treatment and the composting container for organic matter transformation are procured.

2) Ecovillage Hannover’s/VUNA NEXUS’ liquid recycling fertiliser (urine-based “Aurin”): Financing for the project has been secured, ensuring its stability and continuity. Based on that the construction of the settlement, where the urine recycling plant will be installed, is going to start shortly.

Additionally, we have actively identified stakeholders and fostered dialogue to ensure comprehensive involvement and effective communication throughout the project. And since Goldeimer’s festival season is starting soon, P2GreeN is going to be communicated across Germany during this festival summer while collecting dry toilet contents for the first German P2GreeN fertiliser productions.”

Our P2GreeN is part of the Rural Bioeconomy Alliance!

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Funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No°101081883. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.