phase one - COLLECTION
(this phase is now finished, see below for the original invitation)

Collection was conducted for over three months April – July 2008. 1,000 gallons of human nutrient was collected. Two participants continue to add to the end of 2009 for a total of 1,500 gallons total.

A Pie Potluck held at Mess Hall marked the end of the collection phase and served as a forum for the curious public.

In 2010, I will be the sole contributor to the pile.

phase two – STORAGE-COMPOSTING

Aerated bins of nutrient composted in an undisclosed location July 2008 – July 2009

phase three – GUT REHAB #1 & #2

Bin contents are emptied and reconstituted into a collective open-air pile.
#1 (roughly 1/3 of bins) = July 2009.
#2 (roughly the rest of bins) = September 2009.

phase four – DISTRIBUTION

Finished compost is returned to humblepile chicago participants. Distribution is set for June-July 2010.

original invitation to Humble Pile - this phase is now CLOSED.

greetings citizen!

we want to tell you about humble pile, a nutrient recovery project happening
in chicago.

we are working together to transform

• waste into fertility
• pollution into resource
• isolation into connection.

we want you to help us.

our massive small-scale urban nutrient recovery project, humblepile, is underway. you’ve probably been wondering what you can possibly do to help prevent total systems collapse.

here is your answer: a poetically and practically perfect activity that will feed your feeling of joy, alleviate alienation, connect you to nature. yeah, we can actually save fuel, eradicate certain forms of pollution, save hundreds of thousands of gallons of water and create rich fertile soil rather than parched earth.

compost your shit and piss.
hear us out.
sawdust toilets don’t smell.
they are no more dangerous than wiping.
close the nutrient loop.
operate differently.
billions of humans suck nutrients and don’t give back to the dirt.
change that now.
stop wasting live water.
stop sewage spills by composting your crap.

it’s fun. joyful. sensible.