Mapping phosphorus hotspots in Sydney's organic wastes: A spatially explicit inventory to facilitate urban phosphorus recycling

Metson, GS; Cordell, D; Ridoutt, B; Mohr, S

Mapping phosphorus hotspots in Sydney's organic wastes: A spatially explicit inventory to facilitate urban phosphorus recycling

Metson, GS Cordell, D

Ridoutt, B Mohr, S

Permalink

Publisher:: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Urban Ecology, 2018, 4, (1), pp. juy009-
Issue Date:: 2018-01-01

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Published versionAdobe PDF (1.51 MB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Metson, GS
dc.contributor.author	Cordell, D https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5138-1569
dc.contributor.author	Ridoutt, B
dc.contributor.author	Mohr, S
dc.date.accessioned	2022-08-22T20:23:51Z
dc.date.available	2022-08-22T20:23:51Z
dc.date.issued	2018-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Urban Ecology, 2018, 4, (1), pp. juy009-
dc.identifier.issn	2058-5543
dc.identifier.issn	2058-5543
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/160697
dc.description.abstract	Phosphorus is an essential element for food production whose main global sources are becoming scarce and expensive. Furthermore, losses of phosphorus throughout the food production chain can also cause serious aquatic pollution. Recycling urban organic waste resources high in phosphorus could simultaneously address scarcity concerns for agricultural producers who rely on phosphorus fertilisers, and waste managers seeking to divert waste from landfills to decrease environmental burdens. Recycling phosphorus back to agricultural lands however requires careful logistical planning to maximize benefits and minimize costs, including processing and transportation. The first step towards such analyses is quantifying recycling potential in a spatially explicit way. Here we present such inventories and scenarios for the Greater Sydney Basin's recyclable phosphorus supply and agricultural demand. In 2011, there was 15 times more phosphorus available in organic waste than agricultural demand for phosphorus in Sydney. Hypothetically, if future city residents shifted to a plant-based diet, eliminated edible food waste, and removed animal production in the Greater Sydney Basin, available phosphorus supply would decrease to 7.25 kt of phosphorus per year, even when accounting for population growth by 2031, and demand would also decrease to 0.40 kt of phosphorus per year. Creating a circular phosphorus economy for Sydney, in all scenarios considered, would require effective recycling strategies which include transport outside of the Greater Sydney Basin. These spatially explicit scenarios can be used as a tool to facilitate stakeholders engagement to identify opportunities and barriers for appropriate organic waste recycling strategies.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Oxford University Press (OUP)
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Urban Ecology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1093/jue/juy009
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Mapping phosphorus hotspots in Sydney's organic wastes: A spatially explicit inventory to facilitate urban phosphorus recycling
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	4
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - ISF - Institute for Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-08-22T20:23:49Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	4
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Phosphorus is an essential element for food production whose main global sources are becoming scarce and expensive. Furthermore, losses of phosphorus throughout the food production chain can also cause serious aquatic pollution. Recycling urban organic waste resources high in phosphorus could simultaneously address scarcity concerns for agricultural producers who rely on phosphorus fertilisers, and waste managers seeking to divert waste from landfills to decrease environmental burdens. Recycling phosphorus back to agricultural lands however requires careful logistical planning to maximize benefits and minimize costs, including processing and transportation. The first step towards such analyses is quantifying recycling potential in a spatially explicit way. Here we present such inventories and scenarios for the Greater Sydney Basin's recyclable phosphorus supply and agricultural demand. In 2011, there was 15 times more phosphorus available in organic waste than agricultural demand for phosphorus in Sydney. Hypothetically, if future city residents shifted to a plant-based diet, eliminated edible food waste, and removed animal production in the Greater Sydney Basin, available phosphorus supply would decrease to 7.25 kt of phosphorus per year, even when accounting for population growth by 2031, and demand would also decrease to 0.40 kt of phosphorus per year. Creating a circular phosphorus economy for Sydney, in all scenarios considered, would require effective recycling strategies which include transport outside of the Greater Sydney Basin. These spatially explicit scenarios can be used as a tool to facilitate stakeholders engagement to identify opportunities and barriers for appropriate organic waste recycling strategies.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/160697