It is not only solid recyclable waste that can repurpose to re-enter the market; organic waste can also follow a circular economic model to add value to the economy as well as the environment. Let’s take a look at why composting is the more financially feasible solution to deal with organic waste, compared to other waste disposal and treatment methods.
Increasing demand for organic compost. Organic waste can easily be integrated into a circular economy with many advantages. A key advantage is the growing demand for agricultural organics, especially compost. The opportunity of converting organic waste into highly fertile compost is being tapped into by many commercial and industrial facilities in South Africa who are repurposing their food and organic waste streams.
Keeping solid recyclables clean. A big driver to adopt a circular model for organic waste, is to prevent solid waste recyclables (plastic, glass, metal and fibre) from contamination, impacting what can then be recycled. In most cases, solid waste that is mixed with organic waste, needs to be separated and cleaned before it is recycled. This significantly adds to the costs of recycling certain materials along their value chain. Separating the organic waste stream on-site where it is generated, prevents the cost of having to clean and sort a mixed waste stream, and increases the quality of dry uncontaminated recyclable waste.
Organic waste has major market Rand value. According to a 2022 waste market analysis in the Western Cape, the organic waste stream alone potentially has a market value of up to R3.2 billion, assuming that value would be extracted.
Assuming composting would be able to beneficiate all of Cape Town’s 384 325 tonnes of organic waste, the value potential ranges from a conservative R34.6 million to a highly optimistic R914.3 million in soil enhancing related products.
Landfill is a costly solution.
In the Western Cape alone, sending organic waste to landfill sites costed the commercial and industrial sector approximately R138 million in disposal costs for 2019. Landfilling waste can be a costly exercise; from needing waste licence, maintaining waste inventory reports, transportation, processing and final disposal, there are costs associated with every stage.
The feasibility of on-site composting. On-site composting is rapidly becoming the preferred waste management solution to deal with commercial and industrial organic waste. It reduces transport costs; landfill levies and provides a potential additional revenue source.
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