On World Environment Day today, here are some examples of 100% natural methods that are resourceful, and proven to be effective – even if they’re not particularly a-pee-ling.
1. Plants, period
If you have already opted for the menstrual cup and are not too put off by the idea, did you know you could use the blood from your period to nourish your plants?
Rich in iron and nutrients such as sodium, phosphorus and potassium that are essential to plant growth, menstrual blood has been proven to be an effective fertiliser.
However, be careful if you use it in your vegetable garden – bacteria can quickly proliferate and get into your food. Also, perhaps it’s not the best idea if you are the superstitious type.
2. Urine trouble, parasites!
Blood isn’t the only bodily fluid used as plant food: recently, researchers in agroecology have turned their attention to urine.
Just like menstrual blood, urine is apparently able to fertilise all kinds of plants and keep pests away at the same time.
It’s even possible to filter urine to recover the nutrients that are good for plant growth – a technique being studied by countries such as the United States, South Africa, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, and France.
While this method may be in the news at the moment, especially because of high inflation affecting food prices, and agricultural issues linked to the war in Ukraine, it’s not at all new.
Past generations have already made use of urine this way – a practice that has gradually disappeared with the arrival of chemical fertilisers, but which could make a comeback.
3. A great shower of relief
Staying on the theme, if you don’t have a composting or dry toilet at home, perhaps you’ve already put the trick of peeing in the shower to the test.
Considered environmentally friendly, this habit, or reflex, allows you to save a few litres of water since it doesn’t involve flushing – even if it’s limited, in principle, to once or twice a day.
Note, however, that some believe it’s not a practice that should be encouraged lest one’s urge to urinate gets triggered by the sound of running water.
4. Unwashed masses
Some people go one step further by opting for the opposite solution, that is, skipping the shower and spacing out the days of cleaning oneself.
In France, this method is not just anecdotal, since 19% of French women and 29% of French men claim to be practitioners, according to a survey published in 2020.
In the US, the phenomenon of people who shower or bathe less often to preserve the planet appears to have received a boost during the pandemic.
In any case, it does allow for significant savings on one’s water bill – whether one adopts this lifestyle habit out of genuine environmental concern or out of hygienic laziness.