Pathways to circular nutrient ecosystems: Strategic roadmaps addressing sustainability drivers and barriers in Australia

Abstract

This study investigates circular ecosystem opportunities in the context of human urine-derived fertilizers, focusing on nutrient recovery within Australia's circular economy framework. Nutrient recovery is pivotal for sustainable resource management; however, existing literature largely focuses on technological advancements while overlooking a systemic business innovation perspective. This research maps key processes and stakeholders within the urine-based fertilizer ecosystem, systematically identifying primary drivers and barriers across four sustainability dimensions: socio-cultural, environmental and health, economic, and technological. The methodology integrates a literature review, extensive stakeholder engagement, and Circular Nutrient Ecosystem Roadmapping Workshops, fostering consensus-building and strategic action planning. Three primary circular ecosystem opportunities emerged: (1) locally sourced urine-based fertilizers, (2) health risk assessment and micropollutant treatment, and (3) precision agriculture services. Transition roadmaps were developed for each opportunity, detailing value propositions, essential processes, and key actors. This study advances the practical application of circular economy principles to ecosystems in bioeconomy context, particularly concerning nutrient recycling from human urine, with implications for sustainability, agriculture, and public health. The findings emphasize actionable roadmaps for the adoption of urine-based fertilizers, demonstrating the potential to transform wastewater management into a more resilient and integrative circular business platform while reducing dependency on phosphate and nitrogen-based fertilizer imports. Furthermore, the research expanded a vision focused only on the technological and economic aspects of the urine-based fertilizers to an ecosystem vision integrating the main dimensions of sustainability. It also expanded the classic roadmap structure by embedding circular ecosystem elements at the core of roadmap development.