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OT: The News Thread

MindzEye said:
So....if this is an effective method of generating fertilizer, why wouldn't we just integrate it into our existing system for dealing with human waste instead of, you know, going back to the 1600's?
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Yeah. I was just thinking about the millions of lives saved by the invention of modern sewage systems. Not only once deadly diseases are almost non existent in developed countries we now track outbreaks of contagious viruses like covid 19 and lately polio from municipal sewage.

Recycling organic wastes makes great fertilizer.
 
MindzEye said:
So....if this is an effective method of generating fertilizer, why wouldn't we just integrate it into our existing system for dealing with human waste instead of, you know, going back to the 1600's?
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Pretty sure that using human waste as fertilizer is generally a bad idea because of the risk of spreading disease & pathogens that are communicable among humans.

It’s also going to contain traces of whatever medications or antibiotics its…erm…producers may happen to be taking.

Maybe those risks are lessened if you’re just using what your own household has…produced…and using it to grow food just for your own household.

But, uhh, yeah. That’d be a big no thanks from me. I’d only consider it if I was marooned on Mars and needed to grow some potatoes to survive.
 
MindzEye said:
So....if this is an effective method of generating fertilizer, why wouldn't we just integrate it into our existing system for dealing with human waste instead of, you know, going back to the 1600's?
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you wanna shit on a pile of shit in whatever the outdoor temp of the day is for a winter?
 
anne25 said:
Yeah. I was just thinking about the millions of lives saved by the invention of modern sewage systems. Not only once deadly diseases are almost non existent in developed countries we now track outbreaks of contagious viruses like covid 19 and lately polio from municipal sewage.
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Elitist!
 
uncus said:
I am not sure of the long-term issues and consequences that might be presented but I think that if most of us separated from the sewage system and used pails and sawdust as our cover and application items for defecation, we wouldn't have to worry about fertilizers and such.
The University of Guelph did an interesting study on this idea .... as have many other forums.
Going to be giving it a try this winter. reconditioning an old zombie house that I purchased and the wife and I have decided to dedicate ourselves 100% to this lifestyle.
She wants to do a vlog of our adventures but mostly it is or will be of her taking me to the hospital for some type of injury lol.
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you can't be serious.
 
LeafGm said:
Pretty sure that using human waste as fertilizer is generally a bad idea because of the risk of spreading disease & pathogens that are communicable among humans.

It’s also going to contain traces of whatever medications or antibiotics its…erm…producers may happen to be taking.

Maybe those risks are lessened if you’re just using what your own household has…produced…and using it to grow food just for your own household.

But, uhh, yeah. That’d be a big no thanks from me. I’d only consider it if I was marooned on Mars and needed to grow some potatoes to survive.
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Actually no Not true at all.
Firstly, there isn't an airborne disease that can survive 24 straight days below zero weather.
if you think that any small amount of prescription material would be a none starter, you should see what they're putting in the fields of the food you are eating. Obviously, if someone is taking a script that is nuclear or poisonous (chemo) you shouldn't be incorporating the material used for growth.
Every single person that has stopped to buy some Mennonite, or Amish food ... they use their fecal matter in their fields.
This is obviously a life choice and isn't for most. But I feel that I can help the environment and my spiritual quest through minimalism and woodworking. For me, life is too short and I hope to enjoy each moment ...lol a leaf fan speaking of being in a good mindset lol.
 
as a pretty avid gardener... yeah i really don't understand why anyone would do this.

seems like you can find a lot less gross ways to embrace minimalism. but go nuts.
 
hockeylover said:
as a pretty avid gardener... yeah i really don't plumbing understand why anyone would do this.

seems like you can find a lot less gross ways to embrace minimalism. but go nuts.
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They don't use plumbing, if serves as disposal also. At least in PA that is.
 
anne25 said:
Why not just get yourself a compost bin and throw in your food scraps and some lawn and garden trimmings?
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Not looking at a tiny patch to fertilize but an acre.5 (1.5) lol. And with my farming background, I feel good about this choice.
 
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Also, with 40 years of plumbing and other tickets, I feel safe. Remember, it isn't like a sewage system that regulates its internal temperature because of the bacteria and growth inside. These containers are left in the sun for at least a year until broken down in a composite pile.
BTW, Anne, you are always welcome here. I have never forgotten your kindness.
 
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Finally, I am of an age that I should start practicing playing dirt .... This boomer costume won't last much longer lol.
 
I work on rural servicing projects all the time...if you are serious about composting human waste, there are good resources for you online to make sure it is done safely. We have been seeing more composting toilet designs for rural camp settings, and such. You can find good info in the Ontario Building Code for septic as well as your local health unit/ministry of the environment.

This guideline published out of BC is pretty good overview. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/e...ewage/provincial-composting-toilet-manual.pdf

For heaven's sake, don't pollute the shallow groundwater upgradient of any well users.
 
"For heaven's sake, don't pollute the shallow groundwater upgradient of any well users. "

Excellent comment Choice. This was/is a concern. I have taken many samples to provide base samples as well (my biology is satisfactory), we take a monthly reading from 4 spots within the boundaries and have been keeping tabs for our own purposes also.
This is why I asked a few weeks ago if anyone else has noticed anything different with the rainfall lately. I left a set of channel locks outside, and after a week they were heavily corroded. Maybe even unusually corroded lol.
 
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