5s2: A conceptual framework to evaluate safety of organic fertilizers

Abstract

Closing nutrient cycles is one of the basic pillars supporting the circular economy. To ensure food production over time the recycling of crucial nutrients into agro-food complex is most relevant. In today western lifestyle human excreta are considered as
waste and treated accordingly. As a result approximately 30 % of the phosphorus input in food production is leaving the agro-food circle, either ending up in the ash after incineration or finding its way towards the oceans. It is expected that recycling will result
into new organic and organo-mineral fertilizers becoming available in the near future. These products should meet criteria on nutrients, but should also be checked for the presence of unwanted substances.