RICH EARTH
SUMMIT
2025
Hosted by:
Rich Earth Institute
Co-hosted by: Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center & The Green Center
Register for in-person by September 30
Join the conversation about reclaiming our "waste" as resource!
The 11th Annual Rich Earth Summit, the global gathering on urine reclamation and ecological sanitation, will take place this fall in a two-part format: a place-based event on Cape Cod (October 15–16), followed by a global virtual convening (November 12–14).
Hosted by the Rich Earth Institute, the Summit brings together researchers, regulators, planners, designers, and community members to explore how urine diversion can serve as a practical, cost-effective option for preventing nutrient pollution in sensitive watersheds—while contributing to sustainable agriculture and climate resilient infrastructure.
Cape Cod’s coastal estuaries and freshwater ponds are experiencing severe nutrient pollution, leading to harmful algal blooms, and threatening ecosystems, drinking water, and the local economy. Much of this pollution comes from septic systems, with urine contributing 70% of the nitrogen and 50% of the phosphorus in wastewater. By separating urine at the source, communities can reduce nutrient loads to local water bodies. As an added benefit, the diverted urine can be processed into a sustainable fertilizer for use on farms instead of imported synthetic fertilizer.
The in-person Rich Earth Summit will provide a comprehensive introduction to how urine diversion can work at many scales and facilitate exploration of practical options for Cape Cod–informed by insights from research and implementation projects across the country. Rich Earth is delighted to partner with both the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC) and The Green Center for two diverse days of programming.
The conversation continues globally November 12-14 with the virtual Rich Earth Summit, featuring presentations and collaborative sessions exploring technology, policy, design, and justice in advancing circular sanitation systems. More details coming soon!
About Rich Earth Institute
The Rich Earth Institute advances food nutrient cycling through research, demonstration, and education. Based in Vermont, Rich Earth’s flagship program is the first and largest community-scale urine recycling program in the US. Rich Earth serves as a knowledge hub for ecological sanitation researchers and practitioners around the world.
Thank you to our Summit sponsors for helping make this event possible!
Are you interested in sponsoring this year's Summit? Contact us for details at: jamina@richearthinstitute.org.
WATCH THE 2024 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.
