Factory shutdown waste is a specific category of food loss that takes place when manufacturing facilities pause operations for scheduled breaks, especially during the festive season. These closures are routine across the food sector and are usually planned for late December when factories close for Christmas and the New Year. The pause often looks simple
Sustainable waste management relies on a clear and well-established principle: the waste hierarchy. This model guides organisations, municipalities, and industries on how to handle waste in a way that reduces environmental impact and maximises material value. When applied to organic waste specifically, the waste hierarchy helps clarify where technologies like BiobiN fit in and why
The idea of an “eco-estate” immediately leads us to picture sleek solar panels, indigenous green spaces, sustainable architecture, and sophisticated water recycling systems. These often aesthetically pleasing gated communities are designed to be beacons of sustainable living, existing in harmony with the surrounding environment. Yet, even in these green enclaves, a significant environmental responsibility often
South Africa’s landfill network is nearing a point where capacity constraints and non-compliance are converging into a national issue. Many municipal landfill sites have only a few operational years remaining, and several metropolitan areas have already confirmed critically low airspace. Landfills are not as simple as they may appear on paper. They are engineered systems
Across farms, storage facilities and kitchens, food moves through many systems before reaching our plates. It requires water, soil nutrients, energy and labour at each stage. The journey involves irrigation in the field, washing, milling in processing facilities, refrigeration and transport in distribution networks. These steps can be resource-intensive. When food does not get eaten,
In South Africa, organic waste still accounts for more than 40% of material sent to landfill each year. This practice is both economically inefficient and environmentally damaging. By 2027, the ban on organic waste to landfill takes full effect. National government is likely to follow suit shortly after. Every business, whether in food, manufacturing, healthcare,
Food security begins with the soil that sustains life. When the structure and fertility of soil are weakened, entire food systems become fragile. Composting provides a biological correction to this imbalance. It rebuilds organic matter, improves the soil’s ability to retain water, and restores the microbial life that supports healthy crops. Organic waste plays a
Agriculture has long depended on the addition of nutrients to soil to maintain efficiency. Two of the most widely used soil amendments are fertiliser and compost. While both improve crop yields, they are fundamentally different in composition, function, and impact on ecological systems. Understanding these differences is critical for farmers, policymakers, and consumers who are
Think about the total scale of food and organic material passing through retail facilities. While food loss and waste should be reduced, there are volumes of food waste that are inevitable, whether due to spoilage, damaged packaging, cold chain failure, or product sell-by dates. Yet, when we see this waste purely as a disposal requirement
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 way the industry manages organic material has significant implications for food security, environmental sustainability, and economic efficiency. Globally, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that around 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year, while in South Africa, more than 10 million tonnes of food and organic waste end up in landfill
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
There are many disruptors to biodiversity in South Africa’s wildlife reserves. This may include climate change, human-wildlife conflict, development, and more. However, many would not immediately identify organic waste as a major disruptor to biodiversity, but if not managed correctly, this waste stream can have far reaching implication on the surrounding ecosystem. BiobiN South Africa
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,
Whether it is a lodge built within a nature reserve, a mining site, or a project site supporting mobile labour, these operations are designed to be self-reliant, often cut off from municipal services, including waste collection. Energy is generated on site, water is managed carefully, and meals are prepared in bulk. Yet, across all these
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
As South African businesses increasingly focus on sustainability, diverting and repurposing organic waste is fast becoming a non-negotiable. Diverting organic waste from landfills not only reduces environmental impact but also offers significant operational benefits. This guide provides a pre-self-assessment to help businesses determine the most suitable on-site composting solution, navigate local regulations, and understand why
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
