University of Waterloo harnessing the power of alpaca poop [Video]

The University of Waterloo is trying to create an unusual type of compost.

“Alpacas have this unique digestive system that when they digest the food, by the time the manure comes out is kind of more stable compared to other manure,” Augustine Osei, a post-doctoral fellow in the Faculty of Environment at University of Waterloo said.

Osei is trying to combine alpaca manure and hair to make a nutrient rich compost.

“Bringing in the hair is going to help in terms of retaining moisture as well as improving the physical nature or the physical feel of the compost so that you can help a very good aerobic system in,” Osei said.

The idea all started when an alpaca farmer in Flamborough was trying to find a use for the leftover hair, known as waste fiber, that doesn’t have the quality needed for clothing.

“Alpaca waste fiber is a real issue …