Circular lawn & garden: biochar with urine-derived nutrients
Revolutionary biochar-based fertilizer infused with urine-derived nutrients offers sustainable, carbon-rich nourishment for lawns and gardens, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and enhancing soil health.
Overview
Circular Lawn & Garden introduces an innovative, sustainable solution for improving the health of lawns and gardens through the use of biochar charged with urine-derived nutrients. This cutting-edge fertilizer provides a carbon-rich alternative to synthetic fertilizers, leveraging the nutrient-rich properties of sanitized human urine. The use of biochar not only sequesters carbon but also enhances water retention, nutrient cycling, and soil microbe activity, addressing environmental concerns and reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional fertilizers.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Biochar sequesters carbon and improves soil health by increasing water-holding capacity and nutrient cycling.
- Urine-derived nutrients (N, P, K, and micronutrients) are plant-friendly and efficiently absorbed by biochar, preventing nutrient deficit.
- The product is benchmarked against conventional fertilizers and shows a positive environmental impact.
- Includes collaborative efforts with academic institutions and community gardens to create a "citizen science" dataset.
Implementation:
- Urine is sanitized using an in-place pasteurizer.
- Biochar is produced using multiple kilns tailored to different scales.
- Urine-derived fertilizer is manufactured using acid or alkaline dehydration methods.
- Application and testing are conducted on golf courses, botanic gardens, and farms with documented results.
Technology readiness level
This innovative fertilizer is at Technology Readiness Level 6, indicating that it has been validated in relevant environments, including golf courses and botanic gardens, and is ready for further trials and demonstrations. Ongoing collaborations and partnerships are encouraged to expand its application and validation across diverse settings.
About Cornell University
Cornell University is a comprehensive private, land-grant research university with campuses in Ithaca and New York City, combining significant scale with cross-disciplinary breadth. Industry connects through open-access user facilities and prototyping labs, pilot-scale testbeds, and a research and technology park that provide pathways from discovery to demonstration. A statewide extension network and integration with a major hospital system enable real-world deployment, while a graduate campus embedded in New York City’s tech corridor provides direct access to startups, venture investors, and corporate R&D teams. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP management, licensing, startup formation, and corporate partnerships across campuses.
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