Environmental News

South Africa celebrates National Recycling Day on 21 September each year. The day is an important opportunity to reflect on how the country manages its waste and how ordinary people, communities, and businesses can contribute to more sustainable waste practices. Recycling is commonly associated with materials such as paper, glass, metal, and plastics. However, it

The upcoming 2027 organic waste landfill ban will have far-reaching implications for businesses of all sizes. For small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, the organic waste landfill ban calls for proactive preparation by finding alternative waste treatment (AWT) technology and methods for organic waste. While compliance is a legal requirement, this transition can also create

Across South Africa, large volumes of food and garden waste are collected each week – from homes, restaurants, fresh produce markets and public spaces. Most of it is taken straight to landfill, where it breaks down to emit a vast amount of methane. What many people don’t realise is that this everyday material, when managed

Across South Africa, large volumes of food and garden waste are collected each week, from homes, restaurants, fresh produce markets and public spaces. Most of it is taken straight to landfill, where it breaks down to emit a vast amount of methane. What many people don’t realise is that this everyday material, when managed properly,

Eco-estates are built on the promise of a better way to live, closer to nature, more conscious of our impact, and designed with sustainability in mind. But even in these greener, more intentional spaces, one challenge will always need attention: what to do with all the food and organic waste we generate. For an eco-estate

The clock is ticking for businesses in the Western Cape. By 2027, a complete ban on organic waste to landfill will be in full effect. This is a profound shift within the waste sector that demands proactive measures from every business generating organic waste. As businesses re-evaluate their organic waste management to comply with the

As Arbor Week in South Africa approaches, there’s a growing conversation around the importance of urban greening and the beneficial role this plays in our cities. While planting trees and food gardens can have far-reaching environmental and social benefits, this can only be sustained if the soil is taken care of first. This is why

It’s a figure that not only does the waste management sector know very well but also the food production industry, as many are uncomfortable with the 10 million tonnes of food waste that is produced every year. Understandably, as a large percentage of the country struggles with food security. However, taking a closer look at the food supply chain, provides a better understanding of the source of food waste per commodity, which also presents opportunities to reduce wastage and create circularity within the food production system; something that is needed. BiobiN South Africa takes a closer look at the food loss and waste stream.

South Africa is known to have some of the best waste management regulations and policies in the world, however progress towards a fully integrated circular economy is slow. This is especially evident within the food and organic waste stream with a total of 12.6 million tonnes of food loss and waste generated on an annual basis. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment’s (DFFE) response has introduced the Draft Strategy for Reducing Food Losses and Waste which was made available for comment in September 2023.