Chinese Quote by Rose George
“Of all the peoples of the world, the Chinese are probably the most at home with their excrement. They know its value. For 4,000 years they have used raw human feces to fertilize fields.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The New York Times, “The Fertilizer of the Future”, 2015
The Chinese have historically valued human waste as a resource, showing a pragmatic approach to waste management.
In simple terms: Human waste used as fertilizer for centuries in China.
Key Takeaway
Consider waste as a resource.
Themes
environment
culture
resourcefulness
Mood
thoughtful
pragmatic
Type
environmental
cultural
When to use this quote
- agricultural practices
- urban waste management
- policy making
- education programs
Key Concepts
sustainability
circular economy
Questions to Reflect On
- What resources are overlooked in your community?
- How can cultural attitudes shift toward sustainability?
A Different Perspective
Cultural taboos may hinder adoption of similar practices elsewhere.
![“I'd grown up thinking that a [sanitary toilet] was my right, when in fact it's a privilege - 2.5 billion people worldwide have no adequate toilet.” quote by Rose George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/018/rose-george-8313_adequate_i-d-grown-up-thinking-that-a-sanitary-to_834642.jpg)
