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Scientists leading an innovative initiative are working on transforming human urine into a fertilizer that can support the growth of plants, with ambitions to cultivate a new forest. This unique project, supported by the UK Forestry Commission, aims to nurture thousands of native British trees in Monmouthshire, located in south Wales.
Originating from the University of the West of England (UWE), the research team has been collecting urine at large-scale events such as the London Marathon and Boomtown Festival. The urine’s natural nitrogen and other nutrients are processed on-site to produce fertilizer, which helps reduce the load on sewage systems during these events and minimizes the use of synthetic chemicals. Remarkably, the resulting fertilizer is odorless and has already demonstrated effectiveness comparable to conventional synthetic fertilizers in growing grasses and crops.
This trial represents the first application of the urine-based fertilizer on trees. Funded by a £435,627 grant from the Forestry Commission intended to spur innovation, the project collaborates with the Welsh charity Stump up for Trees and its nursery near Abergavenny. The plan is to cultivate approximately 4,500 native species, including beech and Scots pine, with the intention to plant these trees in Bannau Brycheiniog national park, also known as the Brecon Beacons.
Lucy Bell-Reeves, co-founder of NPK Recovery, emphasized the circular nature of this approach, describing it as “a circular solution that can revitalise our struggling native species.” She highlighted the challenges faced by native woodlands due to pests, pathogens, and invasive species, noting that only 7% of Britain’s native woodlands are in good condition according to Woodland Trust data. Bell-Reeves expressed optimism, saying, “I love the idea that by the end of this three-year project, revellers and runners will have created a fledgling Welsh forest, which could flourish for hundreds of years.” She also stressed the importance of repurposing nutrients that are typically flushed away by saying, “We need to stop flushing crop and tree-growing nutrients down the loo, and start using them to increase our fertiliser security. After all, we’re not about to run out of urine any time soon.”
Rob Penn, author and journalist who co-founded Stump up for Trees, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, calling it “a ground-breaking project, which has implications for the future of sustainable forestry.” The charity has recently celebrated planting its 500,000th tree and aims to reach one million. Despite the promising application, NPK Recovery’s research and development scientist Olivia Wilson cautioned against simply using urine in gardens. She explained that while urine naturally contains vital nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, it can also carry contaminants. The company’s process removes these impurities and converts essential nutrients into forms plants can absorb safely. Wilson further noted the project’s potential to contribute to fertilizer security in the UK, particularly at a time when geopolitical conflicts have impacted the availability and cost of imported synthetic fertilizers
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