Sourav G. Hazra, Sujoy K. Bag, Jatindra N. Bhakta and Susmita Lahiri
Department of Ecological Studies and International Centre for Ecological Engineering, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, India

Part of the book: Research Advancements in Organic Farming

Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.52305/JKQJ2620

Abstract

The viability of a sanitation system should not only depend on its social acceptance, economic sustenance, or institutional and technical adequacy, but it should also protect the environment and safeguard the natural resources in order to be sustainable. In developing and growing economies, achieving long-term sanitation is extremely crucial. One approach to sustainable sanitation is called Ecological Sanitation, or eco-san, which is based on the idea of re-purposing urine and faeces of human waste in an ecological loop, serving as a sustainable technology for avoiding pollution, cleaning human excreta, and recycling nutrients to ensure food security. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) are all critical plant nutrients found in human excreta, but lower pathogen (Ascaris sp.) die-off can have a negative impact. After processing or treatment, it can be used as a good fertilizer for plants. However, in order to eradicate prejudice and poor knowledge, people must be educated about the use of human wastes in organic farming. This will allow us to get closer to a cost-effective, long-term sustainable environment for our better future.

Keywords: human excreta, ecological sanitation, organic farming, nutrient recycling, environmental protection

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