Waste As Resource
Examples of this pattern in action:
City of Vancouver uses "Waste as Food"
One of the most crucial aspects of sustainability is reducing the amount of waste that the city produces. Organic waste actually represents the mined fertility of our soils — if this fertility is to be replaced and maintained then it is crucial that the nutrients contained in our waste be returned to the soil. Household waste contains virtually all the nutrients plants require (Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus and other micro-nutrients). Urban agriculture offers a great opportunity to use these otherwise wasted nutrients. The City already has a progressive composting program in operation although this is rarely linked to urban food production. There are also a lack of incentives and disabling regulations that mean that recycling waste-water and sewage at a local level is problematic.
Organizations whose work incorporate this pattern:
Northern California Resource Directory
California Materials Exchange
Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives
References:
Pauli, Gunter, J. Hugh Faulkner and Fritjof Capra. Upsizing: The Road to Zero Emissions, More Jobs, More Income, and No Pollution. Greenleaf Publishing. Sheffield, UK. 2000.
Platt, Brenda and Neil Seldman. Wasting and Recycling in the United States 2000. GrassRoots Recycling Network. Athens, GA. 2000.
Winter, John and Anne Marie Alanso. Waste at Work: Prevention Strategies for the Bottom Line. Inform, Inc.. New York, NY. 1999.
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