Researchers from Michigan and Michigan State are turning college football fan waste into fertilizer.
The intense rivalry between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University is expanding far beyond the football field this weekend. Wastewater researchers from both institutions are launching a competitive stadium initiative known as The Piss Off, challenging fans to donate their urine in support of their preferred team.
The collection event officially begins Saturday at 1 p.m. ET outside the Ann Arbor Golf Club, just hours before the two fierce college football programs face off on the gridlock. The collaborative science project aims to demonstrate sustainable wastewater processing by transforming human waste into agricultural fertilizer.
Following the collection drive, researchers will process the donations into nutrient-rich pellets that are certified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, according to information published by bleache.
Stadium Urine Collection for Peecycling
The innovative sustainability drive represents the first stadium-scale pilot for the NEWtrient Recovery Facility at Michigan. The specialized facility utilizes advanced urine processing technology designed to capture valuable nutrients that traditionally end up wasted in standard municipal wastewater systems.
During the multi-step procedure, collected liquid undergoes strict pasteurization and concentration phases. Essential agricultural elements are successfully isolated and transformed into dry pellets, which are subsequently blended into high-grade horticultural fertilizer for regional crop production.
Inspiration Behind The Piss Off Initiative
University researchers organizing the event noted that the competitive format draws direct inspiration from a similar initiative previously organized by a non-profit organization in Vermont. That earlier environmental campaign successfully encouraged large groups of donors to race and contribute the highest volume of urine.
By incorporating the playful rivalry element into a major college football Saturday, organizers hope to raise public awareness about ecological wastewater recycling. The resulting fertilizer will ultimately be applied directly to horticultural crops grown at both participating universities.
Michigan and MSU Football Rivalry Context
Away from the portable toilets and scientific processing facilities, the traditional athletic rivalry continues with massive conference implications. Michigan enters Saturday night holding a four-game victory streak in the series, having dominated the matchup since the 2022 season.
Meanwhile, the visiting Michigan State Spartans enter the primetime contest searching for their first victory inside Ann Arbor since the 2020 season. Kickoff for the high-stakes rivalry showdown is scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Piss Off rivalry event between Michigan and MSU?
The Piss Off is a collaborative sustainability initiative where wastewater researchers from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University collect fan urine to turn into horticultural fertilizer.
Where and when does the urine collection take place?
The collection drive starts on game day at 1 p.m. ET at the Ann Arbor Golf Club, ahead of the Saturday night college football rivalry matchup.
How does peecycling work at the NEWtrient Recovery Facility?
The facility pasteurizes and concentrates collected urine, isolating essential nutrients to create certified fertilizer pellets for agricultural crops.
Who inspired the Michigan and MSU urine donation competition?
The competitive rivalry drive was inspired by a previous wastewater recycling competition run by a non-profit organization located in Vermont.
