Poop

Next time, when you settle onto your porcelain throne, leave your phone behind and take a moment to ponder the intricate system designed to whisk away your waste, swift and discreet. Consider the price tag - from clean water for flushing to the energy for pumps and treatment plants. Even the manufacturing of toilets, pipes, and paper adds to the bill. Why do we label a natural resource as refuse, and how did we become so alienated from the stuff our bodies produce and the natural cycle it’s an essential part of?

Now, if you're not quite ready to face your feces head-on, that's okay. But remember, when you hit that flush, your business doesn't just vanish into thin air. Be mindful of the costs. Install a clever flush button, save some water, or even better, use grey water for flushing.

Feeling bold? Here are three steps to save cash, gain independence, and reconnect with both your body and Mother Earth.

First, let's tip our hats to sewage systems. They've saved countless lives as we packed into cities. Yet, these systems bring their own set of costs: hefty investments, operational expenses, maintenance headaches, cultural taboos, lost nutrients, and a disconnection from our own bodies and the natural world.

But guess what? There are sleek, modern toilets out there that don't need a sewer line. They use no water, and they churn out soil that's pure gold for your plants. You keep the convenience, but you handle your waste directly, no complex, resource intense infrastructure needed. You'll save gallons of water and score top-notch plant food. Plus, you'll inch closer to disconnecting from the sewage grid, saving you cash and sparing you from pesky clogs.

Feeling adventurous? Why not try your hand at crafting your own composting toilet system? It's a bit more hands-on, sure, and you'll have to confront your own excrements. But fear not, dry compost toilets are completely odorless and incredibly budget-friendly. No need for water or drainage, which means adding a second toilet is a breeze. Just find a spot outdoors to compost your humanure. This hands-on approach grants you full autonomy and a deeper understanding of the waste and nutrients we generate, as well as how natural cycles operate.

Each step you take brings you closer to nature's original system, where poop is a vital cog in the nutrient wheel. It's not something to shy away from - quite the opposite. Let’s not push it like some animals who ingest droppings to boost their health. But we could take a moment to understand what our own waste might be telling us? Reconnect with your body the natural way, instead of strapping on a smartwatch for health updates.

Let's ditch the old flush-and-forget mentality and reimagine our waste management, we're not just saving water and resources, but reshaping the foundation of agriculture. By embracing a low-tech solution that convert waste into invaluable plant-food, we're liberating ourselves from both complex waste management and fertilizers. This shift isn't just local—it has a global effect on restoring phosphorus and nitrogen cycles, and in doing so, breathing life back into our soils.