RICH EARTH
SUMMIT
Excretory Justice & Fertile Futures
10th Annual
November 12-14, 2024
Hybrid: Virtual (Zoom) & In-Person (Vermont)
Join the global conversation about peecycling!
The Rich Earth Summit, hosted by Rich Earth Institute, is a global event dedicated to advancing urine reclamation to create sustainable and just nutrient cycles. This gathering brings together researchers, practitioners, and advocates to share knowledge and foster collaboration. Join us at the 10th annual Summit on November 12-14, 2024 – a golden opportunity to explore the transformative power of peecycling. Together, we can pee the change!
250
2023 participants
30
countries represented
KEYNOTE:
To Have Excretory Justice, We Have to Deal With Our Crap
Sarah Nahar
Sarah Nahar, M.Div (from Elkhart, Indiana Potawatomi traditional land) is a fifth year PhD student at Syracuse University. Her research focus is on the toilet, both the ritual and receptacle. She is matriculating concurrently at neighboring SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in the Department of Environmental Studies. Other interests include working on dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery, community organizing, and capoeira.
The 2024 Rich Earth Summit marks the 10th annual global gathering on urine reclamation and source separation systems. Urine, rich in essential plant nutrients, can be reclaimed as a sustainable fertilizer to prevent nutrient pollution in watersheds and conserve water resources. This process, known as “peecycling,” can be a vital strategy for both nutrient management and sustainable sanitation solutions. The Summit brings together researchers, practitioners, and advocates from around the world to share knowledge, showcase innovative projects, and foster new collaborations.
The Rich Earth Summit will include introductory sessions for those new to the topic as well as advanced presentations on cutting-edge research and practical implementation projects. The hybrid format allows participation both virtually and in-person. Interactive virtual sessions will enable participants to explore new ideas and make global connections. The in-person Summit component, hosted in Brattleboro, Vermont, will feature a urine recycling mobile unit created by Wasted* and an Open House at the Research Center of Rich Earth and Brightwater Tools.
2024 Summit topics include:
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Urine treatment and processing (including concentration, microbial dynamics, and contaminant removal)
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Container-based systems and sanitation justice
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Urine fertilizer applications in agriculture (including farmer partnerships, perennial agriculture, and urine-enriched biochar)
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Navigating policy and regulatory pathways
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Design and sociotechnical dynamics
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Virtual tours of urine recycling facilities
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Knowledge-sharing strategies and collective action initiatives
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Engaging youth in circular sanitation solutions
Separating human waste at the source rather than combining it into one, dilute wastewater stream can enable tight, efficient cycles of resource recovery. Source separation increases the value of the resource: contamination and dilution are minimized while processing is simplified.
Why Source Separation?
About Rich Earth Institute
Since 2012, the Rich Earth Institute has been a leader in promoting the practice of peecycling, advocating for regional nutrient sovereignty and climate-resilient sanitation. The Institute operates the first and largest community-scale urine recycling program in the United States, contributing to a growing global movement for circular sanitation systems.
10 Years of the Rich Earth Summit
Each year at the Rich Earth Summit, the Rich Earth Institute presents the "Golden Funnel Award" to an individual making fertile contributions to the field of urine reclamation. Complete this form to nominate someone for the 2024 award!
Are you interested in sponsoring this year's Summit? Contact us for details at: jamina@richearthinstitute.org.