In addition to being applied as fertilizers to soil and added to composts, these converted waste materials are also applied in soil remediation projects.

Lead and heavy metal contamination is a global problem impacting soils and water run-off. The primary mechanism by which fish bone meal mitigates lead contamination is through a process called phosphate-induced lead immobilization. Fish bones are naturally high in calcium phosphate, a compound that can react with lead in the soil to form lead phosphate minerals. These minerals are much less soluble than other forms of lead, meaning they are less likely to be absorbed by plants or leach into groundwater. The EPA has been applying fish bones to lead contaminated soil since the early 2000’s solid success.

Crab shell meal, particularly when combined with biochar, can effectively bind to heavy metals such as Copper, Zinc and Lead in the soil, reducing their bioavailability and preventing uptake by plants or leaching into groundwater.

Chitosan oligosaccharide is a renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic polysaccharide derived from shrimp shell waste. It has strong chelating properties, to bind and remove heavy metal ions from soil and water.