A Sustainable Systems Industrial Ecology Paper
Creating systems solutions for sustainable development through industrial ecology


Manure into Gold:
A strategic framework for manure management in Ontario

Download Page updated May 2, 2004

Prepared for CRESTech, Toronto, Ontario, to support its mission in economic development and technology research and development. www.crestech.ca

By Ernest Lowe and Ivan Weber, Sustainable Systems Inc.

This report proposes a strategic context for manure management in Ontario and focuses on priorities for short-term and long-term research and development financing. It proposes a possible mission statement that establishes a sustainable economic development context for this strategy:

"Ontario will lead the transition to sustainable animal farming and food production in Canada. An essential component of this transition will be identifying integrated technologies and business models that transform manure from a waste management and environmental problem into a valuable resource solution generating marketable products."

Turning manure into gold requires mobilization of the economic self-interest of farmers, food processors, farm suppliers, technology companies, and trade associations. At the same time, government must be prepared to partner in economic development solutions that secure the public goods of livable communities, clean air and water, and healthy land. Integrated solutions using the opportunity of sustainable manure management will also help government reduce the costs of the negative impacts of poor management.

Download main report

Download appendices including case studies

Download farm practice and technology evaluation matrix 


Industrial Ecology | Eco-Industrial Parks | Sustainable Communities | Site Map
Indigo Services  | Indigo Publications



Indigo Development    
a Center in the Sustainable Development Division of Sustainable Systems Inc.
26 Blachford Court, Oakland, California 94611
Phone: 1 (510) 530-6521 Fax: 1 (510) 530-7498
© 2004 Sustainable Systems Inc.