# Rodent-Run Power Guinea Pig Poo Can Sustain a Small Community By Amelia Roblin | Published 2010-09-07 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/guinea-pig-poo References: [boingboing.net](http://www.boingboing.net/2010/09/05/adorable-alternative.html) & [wanderinggaia](http://wanderinggaia.com/2010/09/05/guinea-pig-power/) Two agronomists in Peru, one a graduate of Cornell, are harnessing the power of guinea pig poo to power their home and farm, and using the rest to fertilize their garden. Guinea pigs have long been a food source in the South American country, but this couple has been working to feed these furry creatures well and capitalize on the power of their droppings. A shed on the property houses 1,000 guinea pigs that produce three tons of feces each month, of which Felipe-Morales and Moreno use 200kg for energy. This small fraction of guinea pig poo can produce three cubic meters of methane each day, powering all electricity in the villa, while the rest of the rodent's byproduct becomes organic compost for this farm and neighbors that buy it from them. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 41% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Renewable Energy From Animal Waste:** Harnessing the power of animal waste to generate renewable energy and promote sustainable farming practices. - **Circular Economy in Agriculture:** Creating a closed-loop system by using animal waste as organic compost for farming, reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency. - **Alternative Food Sources:** Exploring unconventional food sources, such as guinea pigs, as a means of sustainable protein production. ### Who This Affects Most - **Renewable Energy:** Opportunities for developing technologies and infrastructure to efficiently convert animal waste into renewable energy sources. - **Agriculture:** Innovations in utilizing animal waste as organic compost for sustainable farming practices and promoting circular economy principles. - **Food and Beverage:** Exploring new sources of protein, such as guinea pigs, as a sustainable and alternative food option. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plush Guinea Pig Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mama-surprise.md) - [Soil-Powered Light Sources](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soli.md) - [Community-Owned Solar Microgrids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/communityowned-solar-microgrids.md) - [Electric Food Recyclers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foodcycler-eco-3.md) - [National Biogas Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compressed-biogas-energy.md) - [Swine-Centric Cooling Pads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cooling-pad.md) - [Climate-Managing Greenhouse Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/livable-greenhouse.md) - [Upcycling Body Hair Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pubes-for-the-planet.md) - [Pigsty-Converted Farmside Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-recipe-house.md)