From Sludge to Fertilizer - Cleaning up on Waste in Mongolia

Drought, desertification, overgrazing, and mining are causing land degradation in Mongolia. ADB has partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, through the Sanitation Financing Partnership Trust Fund under the Water Financing Partnership Facility, to develop and evaluate pathways for processing and reusing sewage sludge in agriculture and land reclamation. Pilot results have proved that recycling of sludge to boost plant growth is technically feasible and safe. The composted sludge can be used for tree and grass planting and rehabilitation of mining affected lands. The production also can generate additional income for wastewater operators. The innovative and viable solutions of sludge processing will be applied at nine ADB-funded wastewater treatment plants. 00:00 A new process being researched will radically cut down on waste and help restore land fertility. 01:11 How to extract fertilizer from the sludge? 01:52 Composted sludge is improving the morphology and physiology of plants.