At this weekend’s Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix, NPK Recovery will transform attendees’ urine into something incredibly useful – fertiliser for crops and trees.
In a sustainability first for the major racing event, attendees will be encouraged to make a ‘nutrient pit stop’ at dedicated urinals onsite. The urinals will be connected to NPK Recovery’s urine recycling system. An estimated 1000L of urine will be collected, with naturally occurring nutrients – Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium – recovered and processed into a safe, sustainable fertiliser.
Fertiliser is essential for food production and plant growth, but the UK imports the majority of our fertiliser from overseas. Finding localised sources of fertiliser is critical for the UKs future food security. So, NPK Recovery is exploring how an everyday ‘waste’ can provide a localised and resilient fertiliser supply, whilst also reducing pressure on our sewage systems.
Lucy Bell-Reeves, Co-Founder of NPK Recovery explains:
“Working with Silverstone to process British Grand Prix attendees’ waste into fertiliser is an opportunity to do something really special; taking something we typically see as ‘waste’ and re-using it, to provide vital nutrients to crops and trees”.
“Our future ambition is large-scale urine collection, engineering urine into a resource that makes fertiliser supply chains and water treatment systems more resilient. Working with Silverstone drives us closer to this; demonstrating the potential to recycle urine, instead of tankering it away to sewage treatment. We’re thrilled to be trialling with Silverstone, who have a commitment to sustainability and innovation at their heart and want to explore future-proof ways to manage waste”.
Sophie Ellis, ESG and Impact manager at Silverstone adds:
“Innovation and sustainability are core to our operations at Silverstone, through our Shift to Zero strategy and target to achieve Net Zero by 2040. We take our responsibility around waste management seriously, trying to find an “onward use” for all waste that is generated at our events, so we’re excited to have NPK Recovery onboard, taking an innovative approach to how we manage human waste, whilst creating a sustainable fertiliser”.
NPK Recovery’s urine-derived fertiliser has been trialled successfully across multiple studies, and is currently being trialled in a Forestry Commission backed study to validate its use in the forestry sector.
Once the pilot at the British Grand Prix is complete, the NPK team will work with Silverstone to trial the fertiliser produced, demonstrating a closed loop approach to sanitation for major events.
