U.S. Waste Holds $5.7 Billion Worth of Crop Nutrients

A Cornell-led study finds waste-derived nutrients could theoretically cover all U.S. nitrogen demand and about half of phosphorus needs.

Human and animal waste could become a major domestic fertilizer source, reducing reliance on synthetic imports.

The biggest barriers are practical: local processing, transport, and coordination across the nutrient supply chain.

If scaled well, nutrient recycling could cut emissions and water pollution while improving resilience and equity in U.S. agriculture.